Radio station aims for $87,500 in drive

The local radio station is planning to give away a trip to Italy next year.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- WYSU-FM is running a weeklong Fall Fund Membership Drive, hoping to raise $87,500 to help finance operating and programming costs.
The drive officially began Friday and runs through Friday.
The Youngstown State University radio station conducts two fund drives annually, one in the spring and the other in the fall, said Gary Sexton, station director.
"We've just become more dependent on our listeners," he said, noting that the goals of the fund drives have slowly risen over the years.
Earlier goals
The campaigns were seeking only $20,000-$25,000 when he came here 16 years ago, Sexton said.
Now, the drives raise close to $200,000 a year, he said.
"We try to be realistic about what we can expect from the community," Sexton said, pointing out that operations and programming cost the station about $800,000 a year.
Underwriting
The cost is underwritten with money from the university, business and corporate support, a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the fund drives, he said.
The membership drive offers various incentives for various levels of membership commitment.
For example, the basic membership of $35 will get the donor the WYSU "Classic Card" which entitled the holder to discounts at local restaurants, events and retailers.
It also brings admission to a free movie during WYSU Members' Night at the Austintown Cinemas.
A $200 donation earns the donor a "Day Sponsor" designation and a free on-air announcement honoring a loved one or special event. It also brings a wine lovers gift set.
Membership amounts go as high as $1,000, Sexton said, noting that that top donation includes a lunch with him, and he's buying.
Drawing planned
Those who renew their membership, become a new member, pledge online or even just send in their name and address will all be entered into a drawing for a free two-week trip for two to Italy as part of a WYSU tour in May 2006.
The trip, which Sexton said is valued at $6,000, includes a gondola ride in Venice, a tour of the Duomo museum in Florence and a trek to the ancient city of Pompeii.
To make a pledge, call the pledge line at (330) 941-1481 or visit the station's Web site at www.wysu.org.