WAMC Achieves $1 Million Goal in Tribute to Retired CEO Alan Chartock

ALBANY, N.Y., June 8, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - WAMC/Northeast Public Radio successfully concluded its June Fund Drive on Thursday, June 8, 2023, surpassing its target of $1,000,000 to sustain the station's acclaimed news and cultural programming. This marked the station's first on-air fundraising drive since the pandemic, with volunteers returning to the location.

In honor of the retirement of President and CEO Alan Chartock, who had led WAMC for over 40 years, listeners pledged their support for the station and its future. The drive witnessed a record number of sustaining memberships and first-time donors, a remarkable achievement for WAMC. Additionally, the station collaborated with The Food Pantries For The Capital District, a community organization, to contribute over 75,000 pounds of food to those in need.

WAMC extends its gratitude to the listeners for their generosity and unwavering support during the June Fund Drive.

Stacey Rosenberry, Interim CEO of WAMC, expressed her appreciation, stating, "On behalf of the entire station, I want to thank everyone who listens and pledges for believing in WAMC. You continue to stand with public radio and help champion educational programming. This platform for local and regional journalism is stronger than ever. Thank you."

Dorothy Reynolds, President of WAMC's Board, added her congratulations, saying, "Congratulations to the entire WAMC family for the wonderfully successful Fund Drive! We board members are in awe of the dedication and commitment that enabled the station staff to raise $1 million in two short weeks of on-air morning solicitations. The timing of the fund drive coincided with the retirement announcement of WAMC's long-time leader and founder, Dr. Alan Chartock. We thank WAMC's many donors for honoring Alan and his extraordinary accomplishments, so generously. Going forward, the board has great faith in the WAMC team to uphold the remarkable legacy that Alan left us and to shape the station's future so it continues to meet the needs of its listeners."

Following four mornings of on-air appeals, news anchor and "Vox Pop" host Ray Graf commented, "We never had a doubt that our listeners would be there. And there they were."

Joe Donahue, host of "The Roundtable," added, "This was the most meaningful Fund Drive I have ever been a part of. We honored Alan on his retirement and our listeners showed their love and appreciation for the station he founded and the community he created. It was beautiful!"

WAMC relies on contributions from individual listeners to sustain its operations. Fund Drives are held three times a year in February, June, and October, with the aim of supporting the general operations of WAMC/Northeast Public Radio. The station broadcasts top-quality programs from NPR, American Public Media, BBC World Service, and a wide range of locally-produced award-winning content.

For more information about Fund Drives, donations, or volunteering, contact Amber Sickles at 1-800-323-9262 ext. 133.

Learn more at www.wamc.org.

Source: WAMC Northeast Public Radio via Newswire