ITHACA/CORTLAND - It's been another successful year for gathering a "Ton of Toys" with Q-Country 103.7 (WQNY). The giant stocking located inside The Shops at Ithaca Mall was filled to capacity, at least three days before the toy drive officially ended yesterday. Also: how other radio stations in CNY are helping the less-fortunate this holiday season.
We got word of the success through a recent "Q-Mail" alert the station sent out to listeners. This photo, from the station's website, is the final in a sequence of several photos showing the progress as the giant red stocking filled up, a Genie scissors lift gradually raising it up as more and more toys piled up. If it looks familiar -- yep, you're right -- you saw a picture of the 2009 giant stocking right here, exactly 52 Fridays ago.
Elsewhere around CNY...
We asked on the CNYRadio.com Facebook page and on our Twitter feed for other stations to let us know what they're doing to help their communities for the holidays. No responses (if you're not getting our Facebook updates, get over there and "like" us already!) so we did a quick roundup on our own:
Syracuse
- Y94FM (WYYY) is doing a "Corporate and School Food Drive," in which several companies and schools have been collecting food donations for the Salvation Army. Participants are expected to drop off their donations at ShoppingTown Mall today.
- K-Rock (WKLL/WKRH/WKRL) is hosting a Toys for Tots benefit tonight at Station 58 in North Syracuse. At least three bands will be playing and "more bands TBD." Anyone who brings a new toy or cash donation is registered to win a guitar autographed by "many of the bands" that played at KRockathon 15 earlier this year.
- 93Q (WNTQ) morning team Ted & Amy are selling a cookbook they wrote, with proceeds to benefit the Salvation Army.
- B104.7 (WBBS) morning hosts Tom & Becky are hosting a Turkey Drive on December 16th. They'll be live in the Clinton Square Ice Rink from 5-9am, asking listeners to drop off turkeys (or cash donations to buy turkeys) for the Salvation Army's annual Christmas Bureau.
- Hot 107.9 (WWHT) is promoting a deal where a $2 donation to Operation Tribute at local Dunkin Donuts locations will help buy gifts for children of military families, and donors get a $1 coupon back from Dunkin Donuts.
- Newsradio 570 WSYR is encouraging listeners to drop off goods (hats, boots, gloves, etc.) for the Salvation Army at a local health care office.
Utica-Rome
- 92.7 The Drive (WXUR) morning man Bill Keeler is running a toy drive, as we reported earlier this month on CNYRadio.com.
- Lite 98.7 (WLZW) is asking for volunteers to help with its "Christmas Wish to the Rescue." Every hour, personalities are reading names of local people in need, provided by the Rescue Mission. Listeners can call the station to sign up to grant that person's "wish."
- Roser Communications Network's stations, including Kiss-FM (WSKS/WSKU), Bug Country (WBUG/WBGK) and B95.5/WUTQ are teaming up with NBC affiliate WKTV to "Stuff the Bus" with toy donations to be distributed by Catholic Charities. Three stops have already been made, and the last chance to donate to the bus is today in Rome.
- Big Frog 104 (WFRG) continued its long-running "Santas for Seniors" campaign. Listeners sign up to be a "Santa" and buy gifts for a local senior registered with the Oneida County Office for the Aging. The program ended on December 6th.
Ithaca/Cortland
- In addition to the Ton of Toys above, WQNY and its Cayuga Radio Group sister stations are inviting listeners to the "Community that Cares Blood Drive" for the American Red Cross on December 23. It's taking place at Ramada Inn locations in Ithaca and Cortland.
Any others?
Again, we normally don't run stories about station promotions -- we'd need to hire as many writers as Santa has elves to keep up with everything. But we do make an exception to promote how the power of local radio can benefit local communities during the holidays. If you missed our pleas for information on Facebook and Twitter, email us what your station is doing and we'll add you to the story.
Got Pictures?
Our "Picture of the Week" feature runs every Friday. And with a "newsroom" of one (with a full-time job on top of this website), your editor is always very grateful for your submissions. Whether it's something recent from your station (celebrity in-studio visit, air talent with a celebrity at a concert, big station event, etc.) or something/someone notable from the past, send those shots to cnyradio@cnyradio.com.
