Delmarva Public Radio Garners Support for March Fundraiser
A Mid-Shore family with deep regional roots and an historic tie to its arts community has announced its support for Delmarva Public Radio (DPR) with a significant gift to be used as an incentive for listeners throughout the area to pledge their support to Delmarva Peninsula’s flagship public radio services.
The Esther Schoellkopf Kramer Fund recently announced their commitment to match selected donations – up to a total of $10,000 - to DPR during its upcoming fundraiser, taking place Friday, March 17th through Friday, March 24th on WSCL 89.5 FM and WSDL 90.7 FM.
WSCL (which features NPR news, fine arts, and cultural programming) and WSDL (DPR’s “Rhythm & News” station, with public radio news programming during the day and an eclectic blend of music at night) are licensed to and operate from the campus of Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. The stations broadcast public radio news and entertainment programming such as NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!, This American Life, Mountain Stage, classical music from regional, national, and international sources, as well as regional news, information, and music programs available only on DPR including recorded live performances from the Chesapeake Chamber Music and Monty Alexander Jazz Festivals in Easton, MD, Coastal Concerts in Lewes, DE, and both faculty and student performances from Salisbury University.
A “grand bargain” - struck in 2013 between Salisbury University President Dr. Janet Dudley-Eshbach, The State of Maryland, and DPR’s thousands of listeners - transferred the two radio station licenses to Salisbury University and challenged DPR’s listeners to contribute $250,000 annually to support the stations’ operations. DPR’s twice-yearly on-air fundraisers are part of its ongoing efforts to encourage listeners to meet the University’s challenge and to continually improve the engaging, enlightening, informative, and entertaining programming DPR broadcasts each day.
Dana E. Whitehair, DPR’s General Manager, said the commitment by the Fund was a powerful statement of support of DPR’s efforts to provide unique programming to Delmarvans, and a strong incentive for others to join the family’s commitment.
“Through the deep generosity of the Esther Schoellkopf Kramer Fund, DPR will be in a position to provide incentives for others to support the station at levels they may not otherwise have thought possible,” said Whitehair. “Supporters – particularly those who have never before donated to DPR – could see their gifts double in size as a result of the Fund’s challenge gift. We are extremely grateful to the Fund for their longstanding support of regionally-produced public radio for the Delmarva Peninsula.”
Pre-spring drive donations are already being accepted online at delmarvapublicradio.net or by calling 410-543-6895 Monday-Friday between 8:30AM-4:30PM.
