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Broadcasters' Public Service
Licensed to Serve - July 2013
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NAB's Licensed to Serve newsletter provides a sample of noteworthy stories that illustrate the many public service activities broadcasters organize on any given day across the country. From arranging record-breaking toy and food drives to providing free air time for political campaign coverage, broadcasters' continual commitment to their communities is showcased in Licensed to Serve.

Learn More
Click here to learn more about broadcasters' community service initiatives and nonprofit partnerships.

Send Us Your Stories
If your station has a great public service campaign that should be recognized, email Allison Kreutzjans, manager, Public Service Initiatives or call (202) 429-5448 with details.
Follow NAB Public Service Initiatives on Twitter: @BroadlyServing.
Television Stations Air Special Election Debates
Even when it's not election season, broadcasters step up to keep voters informed and educated in special election battles.
Sinclair's KFOX-TV El Paso Hosts Debate
Sinclair Broadcasting's KFOX-TV El Paso, TX broadcast a one-hour debate on June 3rd with six candidates vying for three city representative seats. Topics included job creation, the military, open space, education, technology and urban development. The discussion also covered controversial decisions such as building a new ballpark, demolishing the City Hall building and providing benefits to gay and unmarried partners of city employees.		 New York Stations Air Mayor's Race Debates
Democratic and Republican candidates for New York Mayor will participate in two debates each, ahead of the September primaries. Candidates have met frequently in other forums, but the Campaign Finance Board (CFB) acknowledged that debates aired on local television and radio stations reach more voters. Debate sponsors include New York's WNBC-TV (NBC), WNJU-TV (Telemundo) and WCBS-TV (CBS).
Boston Stations Host Three Debate for Senate Candidates
CBS Broadcasting's WBZ-TV Boston hosted the first of three televised debates with US Senate candidates Democrat Edward J. Markey, a longtime congressman, and Republican challenger Gabriel E. Gomez. The debate also aired on WBZ-AM and streamed online. WGBH Educational Foundation's WGBY-TV, LIN Media's WWLP and three other stations aired the second debate, which covered the national deficit, minimum wage, gay marriage, gun control, Social Security and Roe v. Wade. WGBH-TV aired the final debate on June 18.
Broadcasters Respond to Tragedy
Bobby Bones Show Holds Online Auction for Tornado Victims
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's "Bobby Bones Show" raised $135,060 for the American Red Cross tornado relief effort. The show held an online auction that sold personal items, concert tickets and signed memorabilia donated by 60 country music stars. Country music labels Broken Bow/Stoney Creek Records, Black River Entertainment and Big Machine Label Group donated $5,000 each. 		Texas Station Builds New Playgrounds in Moore, OK
Manship Stations' KRGV-TV Weslaco, TX's Project Playground raised $80,000 to replace two elementary school playgrounds in Moore, OK that were destroyed by the tornado. KRGV will also replace trees and include a memorial made by kids in Weslaco. "It is great the way our broadcaster community, radio and television, come together to help those in need," said General Manager John Kittleman.
Entercom Donates Baseball Tickets to First Responders
Entercom's WEEI-FM Boston donated 1,000 Red Sox tickets to first responders and others affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. "We are forever grateful for their heroism and hope this small gesture brings a smile to some faces across Boston," Entercom said in a statement. Tickets went to Boston police, fire and EMS workers; Boston Athletic Association; Dorchester, Arlington and Medford communities; Massachusetts State Police; Massachusetts National Guard and Boston area hospitals.
Radio Unstopped by Colorado Fires
As the Black Forest Fire destroyed 360 homes and caused 38,000 people to evacuate Colorado Springs, Cumulus Media's KCSF-AM, KATC-FM, KKFM-FM, KKMG-FM and KKPK-FM aired live reports, including cut-ins from KVOR-AM's on-scene reporters, who continued reporting despite fire damage to a transmitter. "We are using our talent to connect evacuees with the help they need. Luckily, we have the resources of our KVOR-A News Team for extra news coverage," KATC's Mike Dylan told All Access. 		Local TV Shines During Wildfires
Denver's KMGH-TV (Scripps Television), KCNC-TV (CBS Television) and KUSA-TV (Gannett) broadcast from dangerous areas near wildfires to convey news on mandatory evacuation areas and routes, actively burning areas, highway closures, wind direction and predicted lightning strikes. "Evacuation area boundaries, 'mandatory' versus 'standby' evacuation, wind direction and wind speed, humidity levels ... these details are literally a matter of life and death for our viewers," KCNC-TV's Tim Wieland told the Denver Post.
NY Station Raises Money After Flood
Smith Media's WKTV Utica, NY raised over $187,000 through a telethon to benefit displaced residents and those whose homes and businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed by recent flooding in the Mohawk Valley and Utica. "Even viewers whose homes were damaged were calling in pledges," WKTV Station Manager Steve McMurray told TVNewsCheck. "I'm so proud of how Mohawk Valley residents stepped up to help tonight." The United Way of the Mohawk Valley and Greater Utica Area, a partner for the telethon, will distribute funds to agencies including the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.
Local Stations Reach Children in Need
Hubbard Radio Supports a Teenager's Dream
Hubbard Radio's KSTP-FM St. Paul staff met Zach, a teenager with osteo-sarcoma, at a radiothon. Market Manager Dan Seeman arranged for a professional recording of Zach's song "Clouds," which led to a formal signing with BMI. After Zach passed away, "Clouds" reached 26 on the Billboard charts. The Dallas Symphony is doing an arrangement and recording artists are covering the song. "Radio AND the people who work in the industry do really wonderful things and make their communities, the country and the world a little closer and a little better," said Hubbard's Ginny Morris.
Imus Radiothon Fundraises for Ranch for Kids
Cumulus Radio's WABC-AM New York and the annual Imus Radiothon for The Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer raised $1.3 million this year. Since 1998, 1,000 children with cancer or blood disorders and kids who have lost siblings to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome have experienced the life of a cowboy at the Imus Ranch near Ribera, New Mexico. 		Kentucky Stations Host Crusade for Children
Belo Corporation's WHAS-TV and Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's WHAS-AM Louisville, KY hosted the annual Crusade for Children. For the second time since the Crusade for Children began 60 years ago, the event raised over $6 million for children with special needs in Kentucky and Indiana. In addition to the event's telethon, firefighters go door-to-door to collect money in fireman's boots. Local businesses and civic groups also contribute to the cause.
Emmis' KPWR-FM All-Star Basketball Team Is a Slam Dunk
Emmis Communication's KPWR-FM Burbank, CA received California's Small Business Volunteer Program of the Year. Its All-Star Basketball Team raises approximately $400,000 per year ($2 million to date) for Los Angeles area public schools through the games it plays with high school basketball teams. The schools determine the entrance fee, which averages $3-$10, and keep the proceeds. In-game entertainment has included surprise performances from recording artists such as Justin Bieber and Chris Brown. KPWR-FM staff and celebrity guests volunteer 3,000 hours per year to plan and execute the All-Star Basketball Team's 80 games at 80 different venues.
TV and Radio Promote Healthy Communities
Miami Cancer Telethon Raises $4.5 Million
Peg Broadcasting's WSCV-TV Miami raised $4.5 million for the Liga Contra el Cancer (League Against Cancer), which offers free screenings and cancer treatment to low-income patients. "This annual telethon raises the funds ...[so] the organization can continue to provide the medical services and specialized care that will save so many lives in our community," Jorge Carballo, president-GM, told TVNewsCheck. The telethon was dedicated to the memory of salsa performer Celia Cruz, a major supporter of Liga Contra el Cancer. 		CBS Philly Raises $2M for Alex's Lemonade Stand
CBS Television's KYW-TV and WPSG Philadelphia raised $2 million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). ALSF began after 4-year-old cancer patient Alexandra "Alex" Scott held a lemonade stand for cancer research and has continued since her death in 2004. The broadcast featured segments with Alex's parents, three brothers and personalities from KYW-TV and CBS Radio's WOGL-FM, WPHT-AM, KYW-AM and WIP-FM. Mayor Michael Nutter supported the event.
NBC New York and the New York Giants Host Health Expo
The New York Giants and NBC's WNBC-TV New York hosted a Health & Fitness Expo at MetLife Stadium, with information on nutrition, dental health and issues specific to men, women and the elderly. Free screenings checked for health issues, including high cholesterol, diabetes, hearing and prostate health. Giants players and WNBC anchors, including sportscaster Bruce Beck, signed autographs. Activities included healthy cooking demos with celebrity chefs, Zumba, yoga, rock climbing and locker room tours.
Radio Supports Returning Veterans
Clear Channel Shows its Stripes
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment plans to spend $75 million on iHeartRadio's ShowYourStripes.org, which connects businesses and job-seeking veterans. Elton John, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Ryan Seacrest, Trace Adkins and LL Cool J recorded PSAs featuring stories from veterans who successfully found jobs. Clarkson highlights Jeff Marshall, a 10-year member of the U.S. Air Force special operations command who now works in online operations at Facebook. 		Seattle Station's Craft Brew Raises Funds for Vets
Entercom's KISW-FM Seattle's afternoon show, "The Men's Room," partnered with Elysian Brewing to create a beer called Mens Room Original Red in 2009. Based on the beer's success, KISW-FM and Elysian Brewing have donated $300,000 to Puget Sound Fisher House and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Fisher Houses. Fisher House programs honor and assist veterans and active military personnel.