WHAT IS RADIO-A-THON?

Back in 1995, a pair of West Bloomfield High School Students, Sophomore Stacy Gastwirth and Senior David Greenhut, conceived the idea of a "Radio Marathon" on WBLD to raise money for charity. There had long been talk about doing all night shifts and the radio station being on the air 24 hours a day (at the time, WBLD broadcast from 9:00am until 6:00pm Monday through Friday), and this talk finally led to action, and the birth of what was to be called "The WBLD Radio-a-thon".

The idea was to stay on the air "live" and solicit pledges and cash donations from listeners, friends and family of WBLD staff members for charitable organizations in the area.  Literally dozens of prizes from local businesses were obtained, celebrity guests were lined up, contests were organized, and, through the coordinated efforts of the radio station staff, adult supervisors, parents and volunteers, the first Radio-a-thon became a reality.

The initial Radio-a-thon was held in the spring of 1995, to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. Back then the 'thon ran from 4:00pm Friday until 6:00pm Sunday. More than 600 dollars was raised during the first radioathon, which also garnered newspaper and local television coverage and, thanks to the tireless efforts of Greenhut, Gastwirth and the entire WBLD staff, was deemed a smashing success and started a tradition for the years to come. The Radio-a-thon would become a yearly mainstay on the airwaves of 89 point 3 FM.

Subsequent Radioathons would raise money for Juvenile Arthritis, the Humane Society, and the Make a Wish Foundation, among others. Perhaps the most successful Radio-a-thon was the 1997 event, which raised a record smashing 13-hundred plus dollars for the Pontiac Rescue Mission. Featured back in the 1997 event were local celebrities such as Drew Lane (from WRIF's "Drew and Mike Show"), Kelly Brown (from 89X's Morning Show) and Zippy and Roger (from Detroit's 93.9 FM, which was then known as "The River").

After a two-year hiatus, during which WBLD underwent many changes, not the least of which was moving into a brand-spanking new studio, the Radio-a-thon is back, with a whole new host of fresh faces on the air.  This year, we are raising money for OUR CHILDREN'S FUND, a local charity that meets the needs of less fortunate families in the West Bloomfield School District. With all the fun, prizes and music that the 'thon has become famous for, everyone is anxiously looking forward to the 2003 Radio-a-thon.

Since the beginning, more than eight years ago, nearly five thousand dollars has been raised by WBLD's Radio-a-thons, and we are hoping that the 2003 event will be better than ever.

Please join us on the air starting at 4:00pm Friday November 7th for Radio-a-thon 2003, benefiting OUR CHILDREN'S FUND. And call in your pledge to help us out at 248-865-6754.

THANK YOU for your support.