Radio Steps Up to Aid in OK Storm Coverage, Relief

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, June 7, 2013

In a special edition of Licensed to Serve, the NAB e-publication details how local broadcasters saved countless lives with continuous coverage and safety information as tornadoes moved through Oklahoma. Oklahoma Broadcasters Association President Vance Harrison said that he's "proud to be a broadcaster" and that "Radio and TV provided unprecedented coverage that saved countless lives."

"The skill and accuracy of the severe weather coverage was instrumental in making the public aware of the impending storm with very little notice," he continued. "Every single broadcaster in Central Oklahoma was responsible for saving lives, every single broadcaster took their responsibility very seriously."

The following broadcaster relief efforts are excerpts from Licensed to Serve:

Cumulus raised nearly $4 million with group-wide fundraising campaign on its 525 stations. The fundraising efforts included a one-hour fundraising special on all 84 Cumulus Country stations and support for the "Healing in the Heartland" benefit concert to aid victims through The United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Cox Enterprises donated $1 million to relief efforts in Oklahoma, including a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross and $500,000 of public service announcements and other in-kind support. "In this difficult time of recovery and rebuilding, our hearts go out to the families affected by the tornadoes," said Cox Oklahoma's Percy Kirk. The company's media properties in Tulsa are also hosting a series of fundraisers.

KLUV-FM/Dallas partnered with the Dallas Cowboys and Albertsons Markets to raise money for tornado victims. The initial phone bank on May 16 raised more than $19,000 and a follow-up effort the next week added $45,000. Additional funds will be collected via online donations, mailed checks and the in-store donations through June 6.

KYKY-FM/St. Louis morning show, "Phillips and Company," (pictured)raised more than $67,000 for the American Red Cross's relief effort in Oklahoma. KYKY-FM held a 14-hour on-air request-a-thon playing listener requests for donations. The benefit raised $33,670 and a local business matched each donation.

Young Broadcasting's KWQC-TV Davenport, IA, raised more than $38,000 for the American Red Cross' relief efforts in Moore, OK. Six radio stations owned by the Clear Channel Radio Group partnered with KWQC-TV in requesting donations through broadcast and social media outlets.

WPOW-FM/Miami collected 80,000 pounds of supplies such as water, non-perishable food, baby supplies, pet supplies, electric wheelchairs, toiletries, rakes and shovels for tornado victims in Moore, OK. During three days of live broadcasts, the station encouraged residents to write "messages of hope" on their donated items to add a personal touch. WPOW-FM afternoon host Africa traveled 27 hours from Miami to Moore with the two trucks that contained the 80,000 pounds of goods.

Centennial Broadcasting's stations in Fredericksburg, VA, donated $1,001.50 during the stations' Operation: Help Moore event. During the six-hour broadcast, listeners donated over 15,000 relief items and $1,176.50 in contributions. Centennial's $1,001.50 donation was used to purchase children's items such as playpens, baby formula, baby wipes, towels and pillows.

Midwest Communications' five stations in in Terre Haute, IN, partnered with local NexStar-owned WTWO-TV for "Mission: Moore" to raise money for Oklahoma tornado victims. The 13-hour event collected enough supplies to fill a semi-truck and raised more than $26,000.