Volunteers leading YPR fundraiser

Jaci Webb

Oct. 16, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Come Monday morning, three of Yellowstone Public Radio's most dedicated volunteers -- Kathleen Benoit, Chuck Hingle and Mark Parker -- will again make a pitch to keep public radio thriving throughout Montana.

The trio epitomizes the loyal support the station has, development director Barbara Bernheim said.

"They have been raising funds for this station for at least 20 years," Bernheim said. "They are committed to continuing the service that we provide and they are among the 100 volunteers who work the phones and are on air during the drive."

The fall fund drive launches at 6:30 a.m. Monday and continues until Sunday evening. Bernheim said the station hopes to reach its minimum goal of $175,000, which will fund critical operating costs for the next six months. Those costs include the purchase of broadcast rights for national programming as well as local and regional production.

YPR has been on the air for 36 years, starting its broadcast from the Liberal Arts Building on Montana State University Billings' campus, then Eastern Montana College. They have since moved to a house just west of the main campus and continue to receive in-kind contributions from MSU Billings, interim director Ken Siebert said. Funds raised through YPR's two fund drives and through business sponsorships make up 75 percent of the station's annual budget.

"The biggest misinformation about public radio is that we are government-funded. Our state funding is very small," Siebert said.

The economic slump the nation is facing didn't affect the spring drive, and Siebert said that drive actually exceeded its goal of $175,000 by taking in $182,000. He attributes the strong support to the diverse programming on YPR and far-reaching coverage area, which includes Montana north to the Canadian border, east to North Dakota, west to Cut Bank and south to Worland, Wyo. Siebert said one-third of all donors provide additional gifts to the station. Some donors said they were worried about the station because of the economy and they wanted to make sure their public radio station continued.

"We don't feel like we are guaranteed that money at all. Our main responsibility is to make the case that their money is well spent," Siebert said.

Siebert pointed out that while the media landscape has changed, making it simple to download podcasts of favorite programs and to stream music online, YPR's varied programming is the first point of entry into new programs, including the now-popular feature "This American Life." Public radio is often more receptive to new programming than privately owned radio stations are, he said.

"The mission is always to provide quality public radio and to serve underserved communities," Siebert said. "For some, we are a variety show. I was talking with a listener in Tennessee and he said, 'You guys are public radio the way I remember it.' " Some of YPR's most popular programs include NPR's "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" and local and regional news reporting by news director Jackie Yamanaka, Bernheim said.

HOW TO HELP

Yellowstone Public Radio is asking listeners to join in supporting their public radio station during YPR's on-air Fall Fund Drive on Monday through Oct. 25. Listeners can pledge their support by calling 657-2941 or 800-441-2941, or by logging on to YPR's Web site at www.ypradio.org, where live streaming audio is also available.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0032-38946058