MEDIA OUTLETS GEAR UP FOR DONATION DRIVES
Local radio and television stations often make fundraising pushes during the holiday season—and efforts often meet with positive results.
KVOA Channel 4's main focus is the Kristi's Kids Season of Hope campaign, a community food and toy drive benefiting the Tucson Community Food Bank and the Marine-sponsored Toys for Tots. Donations are being accepted at KVOA's studios or any of the partner locations (Sam Levitz Furniture, Jim Click Auto Dealerships, Desert Diamond Casino, Pyramid Federal Credit Union and the Showard Law Firm).
KGUN Channel 9 conducted its first holiday Stuff the Bus event last Friday, but has another planned for Dec. 12 at the Walgreens at Ina and Thornydale roads. The toy drive helps out the Salvation Army.
KOLD Channel 13's main focus is the Wells Fargo Community Food Drive, slated for Dec. 3 and benefiting the Community Food Bank; and the AAA Insurance Stuff the Stocking Drive, scheduled for Dec. 10.
KMSB Channel 11 and KTTU Channel 18 are the local media partners for the Fry's Holiday Food Drive, a statewide initiative to provide 1 million meals to Arizona families. Shoppers at Fry's can donate nonperishable items or make a cash donation at the register.
Both stations are also participating in the annual Marine Toys for Tots Campaign. In addition to being a drop-off location, KMSB and KTTU are teaming with KIIM FM 99.5 FM to promote dropping off toys at Wendy's locations; donors receive a small Frosty.
On the radio side, KIIM is holding its 15th annual Penny Pitch. A sold-out benefit concert featuring The Band Perry is slated for Dec. 7, and the station will broadcast live at Foothills Mall Dec. 15-17. KIIM is also participating in the Letters From Home campaign for Armed Services personnel serving overseas.
Fellow Citadel partner KHYT FM 107.5 is sponsoring the Sun Riders Toy Parade on Sunday, Dec. 12. Proceeds benefit Aviva Children's Services.
Clear Channel is focusing on its Christmas Wish campaign, where listeners nominate needy families for donations. A new family will be featured daily on the Johnjay and Rich Show on KRQQ FM 93.7 from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
KOHT 98.3 FM is planning a toy drive. Last year's effort collected more than 1,500 toys.
Good News Radio, which operates four stations in the market, has partnered with 18 businesses in a spare-change drive to raise money for the Gospel Rescue Mission.
Journal-owned KMXZ FM 94.9 enters its 15th December Diaper Drive. The highlight is the live radio play A Christmas Carol With a Tucson Twist on the first Saturday of December.
