PENNSYLVANIA'S BROADCASTERS
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With the help of WWSW-FM in Pittsburgh, Pa., many animals in need of a good home now have one. Every Wednesday, the "3WS’ Pet of the Week" segment features a live interview with a representative from the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, who brings the pet up for adoption for a visit to the studio. On-air personalities Merkel in the Morning, Sheri VanDyke and Mike Frazer have all been involved with the program. During 2007, the station dedicated more than 600 minutes of air time to the pet adoption program, and several staff members now have a new canine member in their family. On the station site, listeners can view pictures of the cats, dogs and bunnies featured on the air and check adoption status to see if they are still in need of a home. At least half of the pets featured are adopted within 48 hours of being named as the WWSW Pet of the Week, according to Gretchen J. Fieser, director of public relations for the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society. Dogs Oscar and Meyer, now settled in with their new family, can attest to the success of the program.

 For the past 12 years, from the second week of November through the holidays, WBEB-FM in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., and its listeners have shown what the season of giving is all about. This past year, the "WBEB Stockings for Kids Holiday Program," which started with just a collection box in a mall, brought in 110,000 toys as well as cash contributions for a grand total of $2.2 million in donations. Known for playing Christmas music for a full month straight, the station inspires the holiday spirit throughout its six-week "Stockings for Kids" effort. The program, which benefits disadvantaged children throughout the area and is coordinated through the Salvation Army, is operated, funded and promoted by the station. Recorded announcements, mentions throughout live programming and staffing events at drop-off sites are all part of the deal. The program has been recognized locally with an A.I.R. Award for Community Outreach and was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

It’s show time! Every year, WFMZ-TV in Allentown, Pa., partners with the State Theatre Center for the Arts for the Freddy Awards, a full-blown show modeled after the Tony Awards that features high school musicals and student performers. The program was developed to encourage excellence in the performing arts. More than 26 high schools participate in the annual competition, which culminates in a live, three-hour telecast during primetime on WFMZ. Chief Meteorologist Ed Hanna co-hosts the show, complete with ensemble performances and acceptance speeches. Two significant college scholarships are awarded to students. The dedication of WFMZ staff, who work overtime and on their own time to make sure the quality of the show is nothing short of flawless, is notable. A network level production truck is brought into the area for three days of rehearsals. The news crew follows the entire story, starting with the announcement of the nominations and finishing with recaps after the show. The Freddy Awards receive multi-media support, including a dedicated section of the station Web site where the live show is streamed and videos are posted of high school performances prior to the awards ceremony. "Since beginning the Freddy Awards, we have seen a consistent increase in the quality and commitment to local high school theater in the viewing area," said WFMZ’s Barry Fisher. The Freddy Awards won the 2007 Associated Press Award for Public Affairs and has been honored with four Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters awards and an Emmy for Outstanding Performing Arts Programming.

Since the first local YWCA "Race Against Racism" a decade ago, WGAL-TV in Lancaster, Pa., has been its media sponsor. With the station’s support, the 5K race became the largest in the Lancaster area in its inaugural year. Due to its continual growth, the race is now held in two additional metro areas WGAL serves, Harrisburg and York. In 2007, the three races inspired 3,000 runners to participate in honor of their commitment to equality and raised $80,000 to fund education programs to eliminate racism. WGAL anchors participated in all three races, and at the Lancaster race, the station set up a booth and gave participants station bags, pencils and other goodies. The station ran 150 promotional spots in advance of the race. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters awarded WGAL the Outstanding Television Public-Service Announcement award in recognition of their "The More You Know: Race Against Racism" spot.

"Comment Please," the daily noontime talk program of WNPV-AM in Lansdale, Pa., brings local election issues and candidates to its listeners. In 2007, the show hosted two debates in its studios, providing those running for Montgomery County commissioner and Montgomery County district attorney a venue to share their views with the community. For the general election, the station plans to host upward of a half-dozen debates for local state legislative and congressional races. A crush of voter registrations prior to the Pennsylvania primary in 2008 prompted the station to interview election officials from Bucks and Montgomery counties. Through "Comment Please" and daily news coverage, the station dedicates significant time to election issues. In the past, this has included "Go Out and Vote" messages, partnerships with local newspapers to organize public forums, and a number of programs focused on the switch from paper ballots to electronic voting in 2006.

Preparing for life’s emergencies became a little easier for the listeners of WSBA-AM of York, Pa., thanks to the station’s special series, "The Dangers Around Us, Keeping Your Family Safe," which was produced in partnership with the York Chapter of the American Red Cross. Every Thursday and Friday morning from early October through the end of November, the station aired segments that included issues such as personal preparedness, carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, first aid training, fire safety and blood donation needs. The nine-part, 18-segment series also covered holiday concerns such as toy and Halloween safety, and travel and weather issues. To make sure the information reached the greatest number of area residents, audio recordings of the segments were posted on the station’s Web site. WSBA was a National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award Finalist in 2008.

Experts believe millions of Americans will have their identities stolen in the next five years, which is why WCAU-TV in Bala Cynwyd, Pa., is taking action to make sure its viewers know how to protect themselves. For the past four years, the station has held quarterly "Great Shredder Events." The station broadcasts live from each event as hundreds of community members dispose of documents containing personal information. The station disseminates information on additional ways to protect identity both through paper materials at the event and through the broadcast of feature stories. To alert viewers of the service, the station runs public service announcements and airs segments throughout its newscasts. Consumers also can visit the station’s Web site and sign up for email alerts regarding future shredding events. The "Great Shredder Event" was the brainchild of a WCAU consumer reporter, and its success has led to duplicate efforts at stations throughout the country.

 After U.S. troops first entered conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, morning show host RJ Harris from WHP-AM in Harrisburg, Pa., began the now annual WHP Troop Support Rally. Between performances of live patriotic music, military, families of military, political leaders, dignitaries and veterans take the microphone on the front steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol. The 2007 rally kicked off with a flyover by the local 193rd Pennsylvania Air National Guard, which routinely serves in Afghanistan and Iraq. Below, 3,500 people gathered in support of the troops. The rally was promoted with 300 public service announcements. One month before the event, WHP partnered with a local grocery store to sell patriotic magnets. The proceeds, which exceeded $150,000, went to the United Service Organizations (USO). WHP also supported a local Girl Scout cookie drive, which raised funds to send several hundred pounds of cookies to military stationed away from home.