CMG Raises Nearly $1 Million in Hurricane Relief Efforts

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 16, 2024

CMG's Hurricane Relief Efforts

Cox Media Group (CMG) has raised nearly $1 million and delivered essential aid to communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, while providing extensive live news and storm coverage on its stations across the Southeast. In addition to broadcasting hundreds of hours of continuous storm updates, CMG mobilized relief efforts across its radio and TV markets, providing food, water, and other necessities to impacted residents.

CMG stations in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia were at the forefront of these efforts:

• Tampa Bay: CMG Radio Tampa Bay (including stations 97X, 107.3 The Eagle and 102.5 The Bone) raised nearly $950,000 during its "Hope After Helene" fundraising event. Proceeds went to Metropolitan Ministries, a local organization providing food, water, and essential assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene. CMG Tampa Bay stations were also supported by their counterparts in Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando through promotional efforts. Currently, CMG Radio Tampa Bay is raising funds for those impacted by Hurricane Milton.

• Orlando: CMG Orlando, through both its TV station (WFTV Channel 9) and radio stations, provided mobile charging stations across multiple counties. These stations helped hundreds of people without power recharge their phones, laptops, and other devices.

• Miami: CMG Radio Miami (including Hits 97.3, Easy 93.1, and Hot 105) launched a "Hurricane Helene/Milton Drop Off Relief" campaign. Their efforts resulted in the delivery of two semi-trailers carrying 80,000 pounds of water and essential items to the Tampa area, as well as another trailer filled with thousands of emergency meal kits.

• Charlotte: CMG Charlotte (WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV) aired a one-hour fundraising special to benefit the Red Cross's relief efforts in Western North Carolina, featuring a QR code to make donations simple for viewers.

• Atlanta: CMG Atlanta deployed its "Convoy of Care," delivering thousands of pounds of non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, and other essentials to victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia. To date, the Convoy of Care donation link has raised over $33,000. The initiative was a collaboration between WSB-TV, CMG Radio Atlanta, and local organizations.

"These efforts by our CMG family highlight the indispensable role of our stations - and our entire broadcasting industry -- as we work together to make a powerful and positive impact on the communities we live in and serve," said CMG President & CEO Dan York. "As importantly, none of this would have been possible without the incredible support from our local partners and audiences. The response of our viewers and listeners has been nothing short of remarkable."

CMG continues to provide aid as Hurricane Milton recovery efforts move forward, with stations across the Southeast maintaining their commitment to local relief initiatives.