Fall Care-a-thon

As a listener-supported, non-profit organization, Spirit Catholic Radio relies on its friends and listeners to keep Catholic radio programming in Nebraska and Western Iowa. Last week we held our bi-annual Fall Care-a-thon membership drive. Each day we broadcast from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and listeners call in their pledges from across the heartland. 

This fall we were particularly blessed, as the organization exceeded its fundraising goal of $500,000. What can $500,000 do for Spirit Catholic Radio? It costs about $100,000 a month to run the radio network. This includes operational expenses such as utilities, salaries, licenses, production, programming, debt reduction and equipment. From research, we know that this is considerably less cost than a commercial network of the same size. 

Each Spirit Catholic Radio Care-a-thon is unique. And if you've listened to a Care-a-thon in the past, you know that they're a lot of fun. 

What made this year's membership drive special?

There was an on-air vow renewal by two of our favorite listeners.

Joan and Steve Ruskamp with Fr. Ken Borowiak,
who renewed their vows on-air.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York joined the Care-a-thon via telephone. You can listen to his interview here.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha blessed our chapel's new stained glass window live on the air.

Archbishop George J. Lucas blesses the new window.

It was our brand new Spirit Mornings co-host Jen Brown's very first Care-a-thon.

Jen Brown, Fr. Joe Taphorn, Ryan Broker
(and a photobombing Jim Carroll in the background).

There were dozens of amazing volunteers answering pledge calls.

Lesa and Margaret ready to take pledge calls.

We heard inspirational words from local guests including priests.

Fr. Ken Borowiak and Fr. Bernie Kimminau.

In addition to the sights, we can't forget the sounds of Care-a-thon, especially the parody songs written and recorded by our very own Matt Willkom of Spirit Mornings. Click here to download and listen to his "greatest hits."

The team at Spirit Catholic Radio wants to thank its friends and listeners for another successful Care-a-thon. Each and every person who prayed, pledged and participated is a huge blessing to the organization. We're looking forward to continuing to bring you Catholic programming that provides light for your journey and we want to remind you that we are your Catholic radio station.

Blogged by Kelly Miller, Marketing and Promotions Manager.