Throughout the years, the Celebration of Service to America Awards has upheld a tradition of honoring the unwavering commitment and extraordinary efforts of the broadcasting industry. These local radio and television stations have proven their deeply rooted commitment to public service and exemplify broadcasters’ devotion to positively impact their communities to create a lasting difference. Explore the past honorees through the decades to recognize broadcasting significance and vitality.
2020s
Guaranty Media, “Future DJ Radio Day”
Category Finalists:
Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri, Inc., "16th Annual Miracle for Kids Radiothon"
American Public Media Group, "Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong"
Gray Television, "The Sixth Investigative Series"
Category Finalists:
Sinclair Broadcast Group, "Sinclair Cares: Summer Hunger Relief"
The E.W. Scripps Company, "Hurricane Ian Relief"
KSTP-FM St Paul, Minnesota, "Buck$ for Babe Fundraiser for Secondhand Hounds Animal Rescue"
Hubbard Broadcasting
Category Finalists:
KCYY-FM San Antonio, Texas, "Read and Feed"
Cox Media Group
WHOP-FM Hopkinsville, Kentucky, "Rotary Radio Auction"
Forcht Broadcasting
WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio
"Maria’s Message: Education on distracted driving"
TEGNA Inc.
Category Finalists:
KMGH-TV Denver, Colorado, "Denver7 Gives – Marshall Fire"
The E.W. Scripps Company
WBAL-TV Baltimore, Maryland, "Special Olympics Maryland Polar Bear Plunge"
Hearst Television
WHKO-FM Dayton, Ohio
"Care for Kids Radiothon for Dayton Children’s Hospital"
COX Media Group
Category Finalists:
WYCT-FM Pensacola, Florida, "Cat Country Cares for Kids Radiothon"
Dave and Mary Hoxeng
KBOI-FM Boise, Idaho, "Idaho’s Largest Toy Drive"
Cumulus Media
KCCI-TV Des Moines, Iowa
"Essential: Iowa’s EMS Emergency"
Hearst Television
Category Finalists:
KWCH-TV Wichita, Kansas, "Wildfire Relief Efforts"
Gray Television
KTAL-TV Shreveport, Louisiana, "KTAL Cares Krewe Random Acts of Kindness"
Nexstar
WLEN-FM, Lenawee County, Michigan
"Associated Charities Back to School Fire"
Lenawee Broadcasting
Category Finalists:
KNDE-FM College Station, Texas, "Candy 95’s Brazos Valley Gives Radiothon"
Bryan Broadcasting
KCMQ-FM Columbia, Missouri, "Central Missouri Honor Flight Radiothon"
Zimmer Media
KTTC-TV Rochester, Minnesota
"Fifth District Eagles Cancer Telethon"
Gray Television
Category Finalists:
KNPB-TV Reno, Nevada, "PBS Reno Education Services Curiosity Classrooms"
WTVY-TV Dothan, Alabama, "Miracle on Foster Food Drive"
Trinity
Beasley Media Group, "2021 Beasley Best Community of Caring"
Cox Media Group, "CMG Gets Real"
Category Finalists:
Hearst Television Inc., "Project CommUNITY: History, Hope and Understanding"
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., "Sinclair Cares: Supporting All Veterans"
WTLC-FM, Indianapolis, Ind. "Urban One, Inc. – Feeding Families for 365 Days Plus"
nd +104 coaches and mentors registered.
Category Finalists:
WSB-AM, Atlanta, Ga., Cox "Media Group- WSB Care-a-thon"
WTOP-FM, Washington, D.C., Hubbard Broadcasting "WTOP D.C. DFS Investigation"
WFAA-TV, Dallas, Texas, TEGNA "WFAA Adoption Awareness"
Category Finalists:
KYW-TV, Philadelphia, Pa., CBS Television Stations "CBS3 Small Wins! Grant Program"
WLKY-TV, Louisville, Ky., Hearst Television Stations
WJBR-FM, Beasley Media Group, Bala Cynwyd, Pa. "Mix 99.5 WJBR Help Our Kids Radiothon"
Category Finalists:
KRMG-FM, Cox Media Group, Tulsa, Okla. "Big Spring Clean"
WHKO-FM, Cox Media Group, Dayton, Ohio "WHKO-FM Service to America"
WIS-TV, Gray Television, Columbia, S.C. "Families Helping Families"
Category Finalists:
WMTV-TV, Gray Television, Madison, Wisc. "WMTV Diaper Drive Success"
WTOC-TV, Gray Television, CBS Television Stations, Savannah, Ga. "WTOC-TV Tells Smart Women’s Stories to Raise Money for Breast Cancer"
WNRP-AM, WYCT, WNRP, WEBY Radio, Pensacola, Fla. "Next Level Covid Charts"
Category Finalists:
KTXY-FM, Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri "Miracle for Kids Radiothon"
KOBI-TV, California Oregon Broadcasting, Medford, Ore. "In this Together"
Category Finalists:
KWQC-TV, Gray Television, Davenport, Iowa "TV6 Real Conversations"
WBNG-TV, Gray Television, Johnson City, N.Y. "Southern Tier Tuesdays"
Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group, "Miracles for Kids Radiothon"
For the Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group team, the annual Children's Miracle Network radiothon is personal. Raising money and awareness for MU's Children's Hospital to help sick kids is the main reason "why we do the radiothon," but this radiothon also happens because many staff members have needed this hospital for their own children at some point. As the self-proclaimed "crown jewel event for the company," this radiothon showcases the power of radio and love for local communities. The 14th annual 2020 Miracle for Kids radiothon raised over $248,000 and awareness for the phenomenal work of the doctors, nurses and staff every single day at the local Children's Hospital.
Category Finalists:
Alpha Media
iHeartMedia
Summit Media
The E.W. Scripps Company, "The Rebound"
In an effort to help guide communities through the COVID-19 crisis, Scripps Local Media launched “The Rebound.” This initiative provided resources to help Americans get back to work and make ends meet. Over nine months, all 61 television stations highlighted creative ways businesses stayed open and showed how communities rallied around them week after week. From the investigative teams helping people across the country get unemployment benefits to the education experts helping students get back to school safely, the Scripps Local Media team helped people manage the pressure and anxiety with advice and resources. Every day for nearly a year, this group told stories that impacted our communities and gave people hope with the help of medical experts, data analysts and more than 100 town halls and specials.
Category Finalists:
ABC Owned Television Stations
Hearst Television
Nexstar Media Group Inc.
KTMY-FM, "KTMY Rebuilds the Neighborhoods"
Minority-owned businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul that were already disproportionately affected by COVID-19 restrictions were dealt a brutal blow during the uprising that took place in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. During the civil unrest across the cities, many of these places were vandalized, looted and burned to the ground. In partnership with the Neighborhood Development Center, KTMY launched “10 Stories in 10 Days” to tell the stories of these local businesses hurting and inspire the community to lend a hand. Their show hosts turned their mics over to these business owners, many of whom came to this country chasing the American dream, so they could share their stories with the audience. As a result of this partnership and campaign, KTMY raised over $145,000 for these businesses to rebuild and highlighted the local community's power and small business owners' resilience.
As a result of 710 ESPN Seattle’s support since June 2019, the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners have joined as official sponsors. 247 coaches, mentors and advocates have attended trainings and +104 coaches and mentors registered.
Trainings have led to a 42% implementation rate. Programs are being implemented in 17 school districts across Washington and in 24 different high schools.
Category Finalists:
KYGO
WALR-FM
WBAL-AM
WISN-TV, “WISN Feeds the Hungry”
Within two weeks of the "stay-at-home order," WISN knew they needed to find a way to feed the struggling members of their community. As people were being laid off, kids were also home from school without school lunches and there was limited food pantry access for the elderly due to the order. The team at WISN stepped up to the "plate" to help provide hunger relief. In partnership with the Hunger Task Force, WISN held two large fundraisers to feed their communities and help local businesses. With the April Milk Buyback and Thanksgiving Virtual Fundraisers, this local station raised more than $1 million for Hunger Task Force due to WISN 12's efforts and partnership.
Category Finalists:
KMGH-TV
WCVB-TV
WKMG-TV
WYCT-FM, “WYCT-FM Offers Hurricane Sally Relief Efforts”
In September 2020, Hurricane Sally meandered into the Gulf of Mexico and 36 hours out, this slow-moving storm was forecast to make landfall 200 miles away from Pensacola. Instead, it took a slow right turn and became the first direct hit for Pensacola in 16 years. Following the devastation of this hurricane, the team at WYCT-FM wanted to do something to help the community rebuild and recover from the storm. In partnership with United Way of West Florida and their TV partner WEAR-TV, this local station launched "Mission Restore Hope" to raise over $300,000 to help local organizations fund rebuilding efforts and help the community feel at home again.
Category Finalists:
WBHJ-FM
WSGW-AM
WMC-TV, “WMC puts School on TV”
Memphis is home to Tennessee's largest school district, Shelby County Schools (SCS). It serves more than 113,000 students, ranking among the top 25 largest public-school districts in the country. Many families living in Shelby County are below the poverty line; distance learning poses a difficult challenge considering many homes do not have computers or internet access. When the team at WMC learned about the shift to virtual learning, the leadership team partnered with the SCS superintendent to offer school on TV. Offering more than 23 hours of programming each week, the WMC team worked with their education partners to ensure that students still had the chance to receive an education without worrying about having the proper equipment.
Category Finalists:
WKBW-TV
WMTV-TV
KNDE-FM, “136 Charities, $794,573, One Day and the KNDE Team”
Amid canceled events and poorly attended virtual fundraisers, many local nonprofits found themselves on the brink of extinction. In partnership with the Community Foundation of the Brazos Valley, the KNDE team decided it was time to showcase local radio's power. During the 18-hour virtual giving event held on October 27, 2020, this local station educated its audience on the work of 136 charities and solicited donations to help keep the community members afloat. In one day, this team raised $794,573 and proved that local broadcasting does matter.
Category Finalists:
KLQL
KRIB-AM
KTVB-TV, "7Cares Idaho Shares"
With the holiday season approaching, the team at KTVB wanted to do something to help feed the hungry and homeless in the local community because no one should go hungry during the holidays. With the launch of “7Cares Idaho Shares,” this local radio station held a two-week virtual campaign to solicit cash and food donations to help local nonprofits feed the hungry. Due to an outpouring of support from individuals and local businesses, KTVB raised more than 49,890 pounds of food and $950,000 to equal almost 2.9 million meals.
Category Finalists:
KSNT-TV
WTOK-TV
Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group, "Miracles for Kids Radiothon"
Raising awareness and money for the University of Missouri’s Children Hospital is personal for the Zimmer Radio & Marketing Group, considering members of the staff have needed this hospital for their own children. Radio stations KCLR, KTXY, KATI and KSSZ came together to host the 13th annual Miracles for Kids Radiothon to tell the hospital’s story and raise money to benefit sick kids in mid-Missouri. The 2019 event raised $309,000, bringing the total amount raised for this local hospital to $2.81 million. The team at Zimmer Radio is committed to doing their part to make sure kids have the best doctors, nurses, staff and equipment when it comes to battling illness.
Category Finalists:
Momentum Broadcasting Company
‘Ohana Media Group
Gray Television, "Measure of Hate"
Gray Television’s “Measure of Hate” campaign exposed significant flaws and omissions in the FBI’s annual hate crime report, ultimately leading the FBI to overhaul policy and ending the agency’s decades-long illegal practice. Through the investigation, Gray Television discovered that the FBI wasn’t accurately reporting its own hate crime cases and that national statistics were based on voluntary reports from local agencies. Throughout 2019, several “Measure of Hate” stories aired in newscasts on all 93 Gray Television stations. Gray also aired a 30-minute “Measure of Hate” documentary. Due to this investigation the FBI, public officials and law enforcers were required to change their reporting procedures and reevaluate the information and data available to accurately measure hate crimes across this country.
Category Finalists:
Hearst Television
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
Sinclair Broadcast Group
KIRO-AM, "710 ESPN Seattle and Coaching Boys into Men"
With a goal of ending domestic violence, KIRO decided to take the issue back to where it starts, focusing on homes, schools and role models within a local community. In partnership with Coaching Boys into Men, this campaign aimed to prevent domestic violence by teaching high school coaches and athletes how to be community leaders. The station hosted a training program for winter sports coaches, offering incentives for those who completed the program. Through this partnership, KIRO has reached more than 33,000 students with a 42% implementation rate throughout the Seattle area. Thanks to the team at KIRO and the Coaching Boys into Men training, this local community is closer to developing leading examples of role models and athletes for the next generation and putting an end to the cycle of domestic violence.
As a result of 710 ESPN Seattle’s support since June 2019, the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners have joined as official sponsors. 247 coaches, mentors and advocates have attended trainings and +104 coaches and mentors registered.
Trainings have led to a 42% implementation rate. Programs are being implemented in 17 school districts across Washington and in 24 different high schools.
Category Finalists:
KRWM-FM
WSB-AM
WTLC-FM
WKMG-TV, “Driving Change: Florida’s Texting and Driving Law”
After WKMG-TV news anchor Matt Austin was hit and seriously injured by a texting driver, the station initiated a relentless multi-faceted, multi-year campaign led by Austin to strengthen Florida’s texting and driving law. WKMG gathered stories from viewers, created partnerships with law enforcement and legislators and confronted those lawmakers who were creating roadblocks to a piece of legislation designed to save lives on Florida's roadways. After three years of work, on July 1, 2019, those efforts resulted in a new law, making texting and driving a primary offense. In the end, many legislators, including those who were originally against a more robust law, credit WKMG with being a major factor behind its passage.
Passage of Florida Statute Section 316.305 and 316.306.
Category Finalists:
KABB-TV, WOAI-TV
KOB-TV
KXAN-TV
WDAF-TV
WSGW, “WSGW’s Sharing Hope Radiothon”
ADX Communications
To help curb increasing homelessness in the area, 100.5 and 790 Newsradio WSGW hosted the 14th annual Sharing Hope Radiothon to raise money for the Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan and its local shelters. With cross promotion from sister station 94.5 The MooseWCEN, this 12-hour campaign exceeded its fundraising goal and raised more than $47,000 while also educating the community. To show continued support for their sister station, WSGW partnered once again and helped raise awareness and donations for the two-day St. Jude Kids Radiothon to raise another $83,250. These two campaigns strengthen the ties of local radio and continue to better the community through the sharing of hope and resources.
Category Finalists:
WRVE-FM, WGY-AM, WGY-FM
WNDU-TV, “Go Jim Go!”
Tribune Media
After the tragic deaths and critical injuries of four children trying to cross the highway to get on the school bus, WNDU went beyond news coverage to advocate for stronger school bus safety and awareness. WNDU not only covered a tragedy but aimed to increase awareness around school bus stop safety and encourage the Indiana General Assembly to pass the MAXSTRONG School Bus Safety bill into law. The bill was signed by the Indiana governor in May 2019, but the station didn’t stop there. As children went back to school in districts across the DMA, WNDU launched a back-to-school safety campaign using yard signs, news coverage, PSAs and social media support all in an effort to make sure Hoosier children were headed back to school with a safer way to get there.
Indiana passed a law to protect kids at bus stops. WDNU distributed 5,000 Stop Means Stop bus safety awareness signs to community and aired 178 fifteen second PSAs for the “Stop Means Stop” yard sign campaign for a value of $17,800. 133 fifteen second PSAs were aired on 16.2 Antenna TV for the campaign for a value $665.
Category Finalists:
KWTX-TV
WBIR-TV
WTOL-TV
WKXW-FM, “New Jersey Judges”
Lenawee Broadcasting Company
In July 2019, WKXW launched a series of reports highlighting misconduct within the New Jersey Family Court regarding rape and sexual assault cases. These investigative reports included the shocking details of local judges blocking prosecutors’ requests to try juveniles as adults as well as a pattern of victim blaming. This news series encouraged the community and local lawmakers to respond to these injustices. As a result of this series of investigative reports, the state Supreme Court accepted the resignation of one of the judges, took action to remove another from the bench and implemented mandatory sex crime training for all judges.
Category Finalists:
KNDE-FM
WKXW-FM
WYUR-FM, WVLI-FM, WIVR-FM, WFAV-FM
WJHG-TV, "Remembering the Forgotten"
On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael hit an area of the Florida Panhandle nicknamed “The Forgotten Coast.” By 2019, the area seemed to live up to its name. More than six months after the hurricane wiped out parts of this community, no federal relief aid – so critical for recovery – had arrived. As locals began to wonder when things would return to normal, WJHG got to work educating the community at large about how long it had been waiting for federal relief funds and what needed to be done to grab lawmakers’ attention. Through social media, daily coverage of local suffering and national media outreach, this team made sure lawmakers heard the outcry for support. Finally, 236 days following Hurricane Michael, a Federal Disaster Relief package passed and this area was one step closer to not feeling so forgotten.
Category Finalists:
KVLY-TV
KWQC-TV
2010s
Beasley Media Group, “Beasley Best Community of Caring”
Recognizing the community service of its local stations, Beasley Media Group (BMG) realized that, working together, they could make an even greater impact and the Beasley Best Community of Caring (BBCC) was born. BBCC created and distributed scripts for 30- and 60-second public service announcements, asking stations to air spots a minimum of ten times each week. These campaign announcements were supported through social media, articles, blogs, interviews and podcasts. In addition to on-air support, each market partnered with a local group working on an issue important to their community. In 2018 topics included opioid addiction, mental health awareness, Autism Spectrum Disorder and hunger. Through this partnership with its 64 stations across 15 markets, BBCC donated nearly 33,000 spots and countless hours supporting causes important to the local communities it serves.
Hearst Television, Inc., “Commitment 2018”
The 2018 midterm elections were historic and marked the highest voter turnout seen in midterms since 1914. Months before the election, while the candidates were on the campaign trail, Hearst Television was there to bring viewers important information to help them make critical choices. Hearst Television stations were committed to covering this election cycle like none other; by digging deeper and exposing issues as they emerged, hosting a record-setting 98 debates and airing 5,034 political stories and segments, adding up to over 13,178 minutes of coverage.
Category Finalists:
Graham Media Group
Raycom Media (acquired by Gray Television)
TEGNA
WMMR-FM Philadelphia, Pa., “Preston and Steve’s Camp Out for Hunger”
Beasley Media Group
Philadelphia is among the poorest of the top ten American cities. While food insecurity is decreasing across the rest of the country, the city is home to more hungry people than ever before, and the number is growing. Preston and Steve, WMMR’s top-rated morning hosts, decided to do something about it and the annual “Camp Out for Hunger” was created. Now in its 21st year, “Camp Out” is the largest single location food drive in America, generating millions of meals. The 2018 Preston & Steve Camp Out for Hunger collected food and cash donations that translated into over 2 million meals for the hungry.
Category Finalists:
KTAR-FM Phoenix, Ariz., Bonneville International Corp.
WSB-AM Atlanta, Ga., Cox Media Group
WEDR, WFLC, WFEZ, WHQT Hollywood, Fla., Cox Media Group
WKMG-TV Orlando, Fla., “Legislative Lifeline for First Responders”
Graham Media Group
WKMG-TV presented a series of investigative reports featuring first responders diagnosed with PTSD, providing a platform for these men and women to expose the state’s failure to recognize PTSD as a medical injury. Under Florida law at the time, workers’ compensation insurance was not available for those diagnosed with PTSD unless they could prove they were also physically injured during the emergency call. The station’s reporting began with the story of one of the officers assigned to remove the dead from the Pulse Night Club shooting. This segment led to a flood of responses from first responders struggling with PTSD who had been afraid to come forward. On March 27, 2018, Governor Rick Scott signed the Workers’ Compensation Benefits for First Responders Act into law. Governor Scott said WKMG-TV’s reporting was instrumental in the passage and signing of the new law.
Category Finalists:
KOB-TV Albuquerque, N.M., Hubbard Broadcasting
KING-TV Seattle, Wash., TEGNA
WGAL-TV Lancaster, Pa., Hearst Television, Inc.
WCVB-TV Boston, Mass., Hearst Television Inc.
WYCT-FM Pensacola, Fla., “WYCT Cat Country 98.7 and Santa Rosa Kids House”
ADX Communications
Beyond its effective approach to child abuse cases, the Santa Rosa Kids’ House offers on-site specialized sexual abuse therapy to help child victims and their families recover. To help raise funds and awareness for Santa Rosa Kids House, Cat Country 98.7 hosted its first-ever Spring Jam. Tickets were only $10 for an all-ages show featuring popular country music acts. This inaugural event raised nearly $15,000 for Santa Rosa Kids House.
Category Finalists:
WOKQ, WSAK, WPKQ, WSHK Dover, N.H., Townsquare Media
WREG Memphis, Tenn., “Go Jim Go!”
Tribune Media
Go Jim Go! is a 333-mile bicycle ride through WREG’s viewing area led by meteorologist Jim Jaggers. One week each fall, Jim rides to raise money for LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. When the hospital opened in 1952, LeBonheur’s founders promised that its doors would always be open to children in need. To keep that promise, monetary donations are critical for the hospital’s operations. During Go Jim Go!, Jim and his team stop at schools, businesses, farms and other locations to collect donations raised by a wide-range of supporters in the community. To help support the effort, WREG-TV features the lifesaving and ground-breaking work being done at LeBonheur. In 2018, WREG raised $370,000, increasing the total amount raised by the station to $2.9 million.
Category Finalists:
WAFB-TV Baton Rouge La., Gray Television
WTOC-TV Savannah, Ga., Gray Television
KWQC-TV Davenport, Iowa, Gray Television
WLEN-FM Adrian, Mich., “Thank A Vet”
Lenawee Broadcasting Company
Thirteen years ago, station staff learned of local veterans living in the woods in their southern Michigan community. To provide a solution to the days and weeks of red tape our veterans must navigate to get critical assistance, WLEN created the Veterans Dire Needs Fund. Annually, on Veterans Day, the station collects money for local vets and raises awareness for homeless veterans and their critical needs. This event has grown from $5,000 raised in the first year to more than $30,000 raised in 2018. More than $250,000 has been raised over the years to help support Lenawee County veterans with a goal of helping local veterans to live as proudly as they served.
Category Finalists:
WDBR-FM, WLFZ-FM Springfield, Ill., Saga Communications, LLC
KCLR-FM Columbia, Mo., Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri, Inc.
WCTV Tallahassee, Fla.
Gray Television
In the wake of Hurricane Maria, a local Tallahassee couple started collecting relief supplies for the residents of their home town, Jayuya, P.R. The station soon began covering their efforts and within days, several truck-loads of relief supplies were collected and on their way to Jayuya. Wanting to do more, a WCTV reporting crew traveled to Jayuya to document how supplies donated in Tallahassee were helping people recover from the hurricane’s devastation. The station also highlighted the continued struggles many were having getting money for housing repairs. Rather than continuing to wait for FEMA to approve or deny financial aid, the station sprang into action and helped raise funds, equipment and materials to help provide new roofs for homes in Jayuya.
Category Finalists:
WECT-TV Wilmington, N.C., Gray Television
WJHG-TV Panama City, Fla., Gray Television
KOAM-TV Pittsburg, Kan., Morgan Murphy Media
The NABEF President’s Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by an individual broadcast station or group of broadcasters.
In recognition of broadcasters’ service to their local communities before, during and after historic hurricanes and wildfires in 2017, broadcasters in Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as those in California, Montana, Oregon and Washington, will receive special honors. Broadcasters nationwide will also receive recognition for their support of local communities during these natural disasters.
TEGNA, “Selling Girls”
Upon asking viewers in all 38 of its television markets what they thought was the most underreported story, TEGNA created a six-part series that highlights the complex problem of child sex trafficking. Stories included crime data analysis, court records and scrutinization of the sometimes-inconsistent sentencing guidelines carried out by lawmakers. All TEGNA news operations across the country produced investigations on how child sex trafficking was affecting their local community. The series is now being used for education and training by organizations such as the U.S. State Department, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The United Way, the Jimmy Carter Center, and the South Carolina Air National Guard, as well as several schools and individual professors.
Category Finalists:
Hearst Television, “State of Addiction”
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, “NBC and Telemundo Owned Stations Information Beacons for Communities Affected by Natural Disasters”
Nexstar Media Group, “Founders Day”
Univision Communications, “Unidos por los Nuestros” – Disaster Relief Campaign
KJLH-FM Los Angeles, Calif., “102.3 KJLH Women’s Health Expo”
KJLH Radio
KJLH created the Women's Health Expo to address the high rates of obesity, heart disease and breast cancer in the African American community. The expo is a daylong interactive event that gives thousands of women access to medical professionals, free health screenings, and vital information needed to maintain a productive and healthy life. For some of the women in the community, the expo is their only opportunity to receive free mammograms, diabetes and blood pressure screenings, and HIV/AIDS testing. The Women's Health Expo was created 18 years ago in a small church as a resource for women to receive proper health care and has grown to host thousands of women in the Los Angeles and Long Beach Convention Centers.
Category Finalists:
Cox Media Group Long Island, “Battling Breast Cancer,” Cox Media Group
KTMY-FM Coon Rapids, Minn., “Project Down and Dirty,” Hubbard Broadcasting
WFLC-FM Miami, Fl., “Hits 97.3 Campaigns for Conservation,” Cox Media Group
WNIC-FM Dearborn, Mich., “Jay’s Juniors with 100.3 WNIC,” iHeartMedia, Inc.
KDVR Denver, Colo., “FOX31 Problem Solvers: Serving Those Who Serve”
Tribune Media
KDVR addressed the needs of Colorado’s nearly 500,000 veterans and active-duty service members in 2017 through the “FOX31 Problem Solvers: Serving Those Who Serve” initiative. The station produced five half-hour documentaries on Colorado veterans and launched the “Hero of the Month” program, which recognizes veterans, active-duty service members, military family members and volunteers. The station also formed the “Serving Those Who Serve” Advisory Board, which meets quarterly to bring local non-profit veterans organizations together to share ideas and resources and to advise the station on military issues that should be covered.
Category Finalists:
KCBS-TV Los Angeles, Calif. “Stephanie’s Day,” CBS Corporation
KOB-TV Albuquerque, N.M., “#ABQ4ward,” Hubbard Broadcasting
WCCO-TV Minneapolis, Minn., “WCCO-TV’s Pulling Together,” CBS Corporation
WGBO-TV Chicago, Ill., “Fin de DACA – End of DACA,” Univision Communications
WKMG-TV Orlando, Fla., “WKMG – Driving Change Campaign,” Graham Media Group
WOIO-TV Cleveland, Ohio, “2 Strong 4 Bullies,” Raycom Media
WRAL-TV Raleigh, N.C., “Searching for a Fix,” Capitol Broadcasting Company
WOWO-FM Ft. Wayne, Ind., “Penny Pitch” Federated Media
WOWO’s annual “Penny Pitch” campaign has been providing grants to individuals and not-for-profit organizations serving Northeast Indiana since 1948. The initiative aims to help those who are either disadvantaged or physically handicapped by supporting charities that have a similar mission. In 2017, the campaign raised more than $200,000 for The Shepherd’s House, which provides temporary housing for homeless military veterans living with addictions. The Shepherd’s House recently had its federal funding denied but the station generated enough money to keep the facility open for nearly six more months.
Category Finalists:
WGY-AM, WRVE Schenectady, N.Y., “The River 19th Annual Cares for Kids Radiothon,” iHeartMedia
WPLR-FM New Haven, Conn., “The 99.1 PLR Chaz and AJ Toy Drive,” Connoisseur Media
WWOZ-FM New Orleans, La., “School Groove,” New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation
WJRT-TV Flint, Mich., “ABC12 Diaper Drive”
Gray Television
In the most populated county in the station’s DMA, 4,500 children under the age of three live below the poverty line. Because state and federal assistance cannot be used to buy diapers, many of these children are forced to stay in the same diaper for days at a time. During the “ABC12 Diaper Drive,” the station reported live during the day’s newscasts and broke into programming to show people bringing donations of money and supplies. One of the station’s news anchors helped start the initiative 10 years ago, and eventually became a co-founder of the Flint Diaper Bank, a non-profit organization with no administrative costs. With the help of the initiative, the Flint Diaper Bank now helps deliver one million diapers to families in need each year.
Category Finalists:
KWTX-TV Waco, Texas, “Service to Veterans” and “The Rhett Revolution,” Gray Television
WAFB Baton Rouge, La., “Donna Britt Day 2017,” Raycom Media
WMTV-TV Madison, Wisc., “NBC15 Share Your Holidays Campaign to Eliminate Hunger,” Gray Television
WVUE-TV New Orleans, La., “Medical Waste,” Raycom Media
KTXY-FM Columbia, Mo., “Y107 Miracles for Kids Radiothon”
KTXY’s 2017 Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Radiothon marked the 11th year Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group has partnered with CMN and the Missouri University’s Children’s Hospital. In that time, the station has raised more than 2.3 million dollars to help benefit sick children in mid-Missouri. The 2017 Miracles for Kids Radiothon raised over $250,000, and the initiative has won numerous Corporate Awards from the Missouri Broadcasters Association and is considered one of the top local radiothons by Children's Miracle Network.
Category Finalists:
KCLR-FM Boonville, Mo., “Clear 99 Honor Flight Radiothon,” Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri
WFRE-FM, WFMD-AM Frederick, Md., “WFRE St. Jude Radiothon,” Aloha Station Trust
WCTV Tallahassee, Fl., “WCTV Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam”
Gray Television
WCTV’s “Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam” is a two-week drive during which students are encouraged to collect jars of peanut butter and jelly for struggling families in the local community. In its first year, the initiative collected nearly five tons of supplies. The drive helps fill food bank shelves at a time when demand is high, especially in this community where 25,000 children rely on school meal assistance.
Category Finalists:
KAAL-TV Rochester, Minn., “ABC 6 News Weather Lab,” Hubbard Broadcasting
KRCG-TV Columbia, Mo., “Stop Bullying Mid-Mo,” Sinclair Broadcast Group
WEAU-TV Eau Claire, Wis., “Tornado Relief Fund,” Gray Television
WREX-TV Rockford, Ill., “Hooked: The Opioid Epidemic Hits Home,” Quincy Media
The NABEF President’s Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by an individual broadcast station or group.
WXIA-TV Atlanta, Ga.
TEGNA Media
WXIA-TV’s “Charlie Foxtrot” began as an investigation of a military policy that strips service members of their benefits and veteran status, even after serving in war zones. WXIA’s coverage focused on the Fairness for Veterans Act, a piece of proposed legislation which would require mental health conditions like post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) to be considered in the discharge review process. WXIA hosted an online petition where more than 12,000 viewers signed to show their support for the act. “Charlie Foxtrot” also ran on WXIA’s sister stations in 38 cities nationwide, culminating with a screening at the U.S. Capitol. Three days after the screening, backed by 44 veteran service organizations, Congress passed the Fairness for Veterans Act as part of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill was signed into law on December 23, 2016, giving tens of thousands of former service members access to life-saving medical treatment.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WDIV-TV Detroit, Mich.
Graham Media Group
Through news coverage, philanthropy, and community service, WDIV puts the needs of viewers first. When the city of Flint found itself in crisis, WDIV hosted a telethon, raising more than $1.13 million. WDIV also provided extensive coverage of the Flint water crisis, airing a primetime special and traveling to Washington, D.C., to cover developments on Capitol Hill. To address the opioid epidemic, WDIV ran numerous PSAs and provided significant news coverage to keep the conversation on drug addiction front and center. With Detroit having the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the U.S., WDIV created the "Arab in America" news series, which showed viewers personal stories of Arab Americans in their local community. In partnership with Bookstock, WDIV raised over $1.4 million for literacy and education programs in its community. The station’s commitment to education continued with its renovations of a school in the Detroit Public School Community District. This is just a small sampling of the work WDIV does to serve the local community.
Category Finalists:
WAFB-TV Baton Rouge, La., Raycom Media
WCVB-TV Boston, Mass., Hearst Television
WKMG-TV Orlando, Fla., Graham Media Group
WSB-TV Atlanta, Ga., Cox Media Group
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WEDR-FM Hollywood, Fla.
Cox Media Group
Every year, WEDR prepares children to go back to school through a four-week “Back to School Backpack Tour.” In 2016, WEDR partnered with several local organizations to provide 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for underprivileged children in Kindergarten through eighth grade. The station also provides an after-school program called “Fore-Life,” which teaches children to golf, as well as disciplinary and math skills. Through the “99 JAMZ Student of the Week” contest, WEDR encourages students to perform well academically. Students with a GPA of 3.5 and above were eligible to enter the student of the week contest. The winner gets to co-host the Wednesday night show’s "Top 8@8 Countdown" and also receives $100 and 99 JAMZ gear.
Category Finalists:
KTAR/KMVP Phoenix, Ariz., Bonneville International Corp.
TELEVISION
WMUR-TV Manchester, N.H.
Hearst Television
The need for foster and permanent homes for New Hampshire children is greater than ever, attributed in large part to the opioid crisis. Since 2014, WMUR’s New Hampshire Chronicle has featured “Home at Last,” a recurring series of segments with the goal of finding permanent adoptive homes for the more than 700 children in New Hampshire living in out-of-home placement. Each segment profiles one child or group of siblings chosen by the state’s Division of Children, Youth, and Families. In 2016, WMUR-TV profiled five children in "Home at Last" segments. At the end of the year the station produced its first hour-long update program, featuring the children in their new adoptive homes, called "Home at Last...for the Holidays". As a result, Wendy’s ran two coupon campaigns in conjunction with "Home at Last," which raised nearly $50,000 for the New Hampshire Foster and Adoptive Parent Association.
Category Finalists:
KWTX Waco, Texas, Gray Television
WNYT-TV Albany, N.Y., Hubbard Television Group
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
KZLV-FM San Antonio, Texas
K-LOVE and Air 1 Media
The KZLV “Share the Love” campaign engaged listeners in thanking and assisting those who serve in their community, as well as increasing their own levels of service. The campaign activated hundreds of volunteers for numerous organizations including the San Antonio’s Parks Department, St. PJ’s Children’s Home, Haven for Hope homeless shelter, and many others. The station helped provide 2,000 families with packs containing enough food to feed a family of four for a week. The K-LOVE Crisis Response Care program was developed to support first responders and assist with their emotional needs. The program included critical incident stress management training for first responders and community volunteers. KZLV further served their community during their random acts of appreciation and gratitude campaign in February.
Category Finalists:
Illinois Broadcasters Association
KGBX-FM Springfield, Mo., iHeartMedia
KSHE-FM St. Louis, Mo., Emmis Communications Corp.
KSOS-FM Las Vegas, Nev., Faith Communications Corp.
WFEZ-FM Hollywood, Fla., Cox Media Group
WTAM-AM Cleveland, Ohio, iHeartMedia
TELEVISION
WRAL-TV Raleigh, N.C.
Capitol Broadcasting Co.
The rising tensions in the relationship between police departments and African American communities in Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville, North Carolina inspired WRAL-TV’s “Black and Blue” documentary. The program became part of an unprecedented two-hour community conversation on air, online and on social media. The critical conversation took place following the Dallas shootings. Moderated by a community leader, WRAL-TV featured the discussion between law enforcement, faith leaders and members of the African American community. Live and online, the documentary reached nearly 110,000 people and also generated 500,000 impressions on social media.
Category Finalists:
KGMB Honolulu, Hawaii, Raycom Media Inc.
KTUU Anchorage, Ark., Gray Television
WAFB Baton Rouge, La., Raycom Media Inc.
WBAL Baltimore, Md., Hearst Television
WXIA Atlanta, Ga., TEGNA Media
The NABEF President’s Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by broadcasters.
Arizona Broadcasters Association
“Hooked: Tracking Heroin’s Hold on Arizona” was an informative one-hour special created by the Arizona Broadcasters Association (ABA) in partnership with the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Developed to show the devastating effects of heroin on the state’s addicted citizens, the special aired simultaneously on all of Arizona’s 34 television stations and 93 radio stations in January 2015. More than one million viewers watched, while 250,000 listeners heard it on radio. The ABA’s unwavering commitment to the program and its mission was further shown by the creation of a 100-person call center of trained treatment and recovery professionals to field calls during the broadcast. Within three hours, more than 400 calls were managed and numerous lives were forever changed.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KWTX-TV Waco, Texas
Owner: Gray Television
Through a variety of programming, fundraising and primary support, KWTX-TV met the needs of the Waco area with invaluable community outreach. When a local Boys and Girls Club began to literally fall apart, KWTX leapt into action, organizing a telethon to raise money for repairs. Their “Food for Families” program collected more than 1.8 million pounds of food last year alone, while an “On Call” event connected people with doctors by telephone to discuss the flu, health insurance and early cancer detection. In addition, KWTX showed its gratitude to the men and women who serve with the production and airing of the “We Can’t Forget Vietnam” documentary and its first Law Enforcement Appreciation dinner for more than 200 police officers and their families. KWTX further proved its commitment to the community with a career fair exclusively for high school students and by spearheading “Toys for Tots” donations, which provided more than 3,000 children with Christmas gifts.
Category Finalists:
KXLY-TV Spokane, Wash., Morgan Murphy Media
WAFB Baton Rouge, La., Raycom Media, Inc.
WAVE-TV Louisville, Ky., Raycom Media, Inc.
WBRC Birmingham, Alaska, Raycom Media, Inc.
WFSB Rocky Hill, Conn., Meredith Corporation – Local Media Group
WXYZ-TV Southfield, Mich., The E.W. Scripps Company
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WXYT-FM Southfield, Mich.
Owner: CBS Radio
Since 2012, WXYT’s Student Heart Check program has helped raise money and awareness for student athletes at risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – an acute, life- threatening heart condition. The vital program saves lives every year, conducting quarterly student heart screenings at local high schools where physicians participate for free and students from across the state are invited to attend. In 2015, more than 1,600 students received screenings, resulting in 234 students being advised to stop playing sports immediately. Two students were diagnosed with the condition. Produced in partnership with Beaumont Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, WXYT led and supported the program with multiple public service announcements, valued at $1.1 million. The informative PSAs requested $10 donations from listeners to help the program reach its ultimate goal of purchasing a mobile cardiac unit. In 2015, the campaign raised a respectable $30,000 in donations and additional sponsor outreach.
Category Finalists:
WHUR-FM Washington, D. C., Howard University
WYCT-FM Pensacola, Fla., ADX Communications
TELEVISION
WBIQ-TV Birmingham, Ala.
Owner: Alabama ETV Commission
Recent events across the nation have once again focused attention on concerns in minority communities and racial perceptions in America. To address these issues and create a public dialogue about race relations, the Alabama ETV commission produced “Project C: Lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement.” Led by a team of student reporters, the three-year series has provided ongoing community engagement to students, teachers, the greater Alabama community and the nation through interactive webcasts, print resources, a historical issues guide and teacher institutes. In 2015, two episodes commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma bridge crossing and the Montgomery bus boycotts were produced. They featured a rousing speech by President Barack Obama, a visit to the Rosa Parks Museum and more. Through the end of 2015, the project had reached 228,000 Alabama students and more than 1.3 million students nationwide.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
Cox Radio Group Miami, Fla.
Owner: Cox Media Group
Through PSAs, events and “food-raisers,” Cox Radio Group Miami helped feed their community with year-round outreach. By engaging listeners to replenish food shelves in local neighborhoods where the demand is high, Cox fed an estimated 1,500-2,000 people weekly. Conducted in partnership with the Wayne Barton Foundation and Broward County Sheriff’s office, Cox’s food drive campaign collected more than 100,000 pounds each weekend to support retirees and fixed income families. In addition, Cox’s annual Turkey Drive gave away 3,100 turkeys, helping Cox reach an estimated 5.2 million pounds of food collected and distributed last year alone.
Category Finalists:
KPRS-FM Kansas City, Mo., Carter Broadcast Group
TELEVISION
KOLO-TV Reno, Nev.
Owner: Gray Television
“KOLO Cares” provides year-round promotional awareness for local non-profit organizations in the northern Nevada area. Through free, unmatched media outreach, the voices of these organizations are amplified, educating viewers on their missions, objectives and results. Through the program, KOLO has helped nearly 150 groups with a media outreach seminar to teach communication skills. In addition, each year KOLO selects six “Pillar Partners” to super serve by developing a public service campaign for each. In 2015, 88 community groups applied to be a Pillar Partner. KOLO produced and aired 28 different promotional spots for those chosen and participated in various partner activities including a blood drive, feeding the homeless, raising more than $55,000 in cash to help children and teens in foster care, and raising an estimated one million pounds of food for the hungry.
Category Finalists:
KCRG Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gray Television
KET Lexington, Ky., Kentucky Authority for Educational Television
KWTX Waco, Texas, Gray Television
WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio, Dispatch Broadcast Group
WBZ-TV Boston, Mass., CBS Television Stations
WDAM-TV Moselle, Miss., Raycom Media, Inc.
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations New York, N.Y.
The NABEF President’s Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by a broadcaster.
iHeartMedia, San Antonio, Texas
iHeartMedia "Show Your Stripes" is a long-term effort to help guide veterans back into civilian life by highlighting their valuable training and experience. Since the program’s launch, iHeartMedia has invested over $150 million in radio, digital and out-of-home resources to highlight the skills of returning service men and women and their value to employers. "Show Your Stripes" is the largest public service campaign in the company’s history. The campaign spans iHeartMedia’s 858 owned-and-operated radio stations across 150 markets, with each station addressing specific unemployment needs for each individual community. In addition to nationally produced spots, local radio stations produce PSAs that reflect their community. In July 2014, the company launched a 30-minute long-form public affairs show. Local stations also explored opportunities to promote and participate in regional veteran-focused career fairs.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KING-TV Seattle, Wash.
Owner: Gannett Broadcasting
Through a combination of programming, fundraising and hands-on support, KING-TV met the challenges of 2014 head-on. In addition to supporting more than 100 non-profit organizations, raising more than $1 million for the American Red Cross and attending 170 community events, they also forged new paths with their coverage and response to local disasters. When the Oso Landslide occurred, KING helped fundraise for relief funds, got the word out about specific needs and mobilized local businesses to help. When wildfires hit, KING responded, raising money and awareness. After a student shooting at a local high school, KING aired a one-hour prime time special, pausing only for local PSAs. Finally, for their annual food drive "Home Team Harvest," KING raised 4.6 million meals. Personally invested and fierce in their involvement, KING exemplifies unwavering commitment to community service.
Category Finalists:
KVUE-TV Austin, Texas, Gannett Broadcasting
KVVU-TV Las Vegas, Nev., Meredith Corporation – Local Media Group
WMC-TV Memphis, Tenn., Raycom Media, Inc.
WRAZ Raleigh, N.C., Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
KEX-AM Tigard, Ore.
Owner: iHeartMedia
Since 1987, the KEX Kids Fund has provided eyeglasses and hearing aids to children whose families cannot afford them in 16 counties of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The program is funded primarily by donations from KEX listeners, who contribute through a four-day pledge drive that begins each year on Thanksgiving morning. The annual radiothon raises approximately $100,000, allowing the Kids Fund to meet the needs of approximately 1,000 children each year. Teachers report that students who are served by the KEX Kids Fund, given proper hearing and vision, invariably move from the bottom to the top of their classes. Since the program’s inception, thousands of children have been helped and millions of dollars have been raised.
Category Finalists:
KIRO-FM Seattle, Wash., Bonneville International Corp.
WARR-FM Warrenton, N.C. Darensburg Broadcasting
WROQ/WTPT/WFBC/WSPA/WYRD-FM/WORD-AM Greenville, S.C., Entercom Communications Corporation
TELEVISION
WVIZ Cleveland, Ohio
Owner: Ideastream
The Cleveland Public School District has the second-worst dropout rate in the country, and WVIZ/PBS ideastream is helping to generate solutions. This includes broadcasting 12 hours of educational programming daily and providing educational offerings to students, teachers and parents. In 2014, WVIZ continued its work in one of lowest achieving neighborhoods in the Cleveland Public Schools. With community partners, the station provided a multiple media early literacy program, working in classrooms and in the community, even transforming a hospital clinic’s waiting room into a learning lab where volunteers teach parents to read to their children and use PBS educational apps. 100 eighth graders attended a drop out conference, where college students inspired them to continue their education, culminating in a cap-and-gown ceremony. ideastream, a consolidation of eight programs and services that includes WVIZ/PBS, 90.3 WCPN and WCLV Classical 104.9, leverages its multiple media to inform audiences about educational issues with programs on the stations and resources on the web and social media.
Category Finalists:
WHAS-TV Louisville, Ky., Gannett Broadcasting
WISN-TV Milwaukee, Wisc., Hearst Television
WJLA-TV Washington, D.C., Sinclair Broadcasting Group
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
WCCO-AM Minneapolis, Minn.
Owner: CBS Radio
Through PSAs, events and fundraisers, WCCO helped the hungry through year-round outreach. With “Let’s Kick Hunger Day,” WCCO engaged listeners, celebrities and charity groups to replenish food shelves across 59 counties. Teaming up with local congregations, civic groups, corporations and listeners, WCCO helped power the month-long Food Share campaign, the largest food drive in the country. In partnership with the National Association of Letter Carriers, WCCO supported the “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive,” which collected 1.73 million pounds of food. Finally, the 11th Annual Union Gospel Mission radio-thon featured stories of those whose lives had been touched by such efforts and broke a new record, providing help for the homeless, poor and addicted.
Category Finalists:
WGFB/WRTB/WXRX/WNTA Rockford, Ill., Mid-West Family Broadcasting
WRJC Mauston, Wisc., Murphy’s Law Media Group LLC
WSOY-AM Decatur, Ill., Neuhoff Communications
TELEVISION
Capitol Broadcasting Co., Inc., Raleigh, N.C.
Capitol Broadcasting Co. (CBC) has been working for almost a year on a domestic violence initiative called "eNOugh NC." The effort includes a domestic violence task force charged with building local and national awareness of this issue that impacts one in four women. Through a collaboration with local government partners and agencies, CBC-owned WRAL and WRAZ held a televised panel discussion with survivors and thought leaders, created a website for abuse victims, ran more than 2,000 PSAs, posted TV and iInternet ads, conducted a social media campaign, aired a half-hour documentary and held a three-hour phone bank, taking 400 calls from across eight states. In addition, within 36 hours of the Ray Rice story breaking, WRAL devoted 2.5 minutes of advertising inventory to CBC-produced PSAs during the national premiere of Thursday night NFL game. These 60- and 90-second PSAs featured the men of CBC, speaking out against domestic violence.
Category Finalists:
KVVU-TV Las Vegas, Nev., Meredith Corporation – Local Media Group
WCHS/WVAH Charleston, W.Va., Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
WLTV Miami, Fla., Univision Communications Inc.
WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, Paenn., Hearst Television Inc.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KUSA Denver, Colo.
Owner: Gannett Co., Inc.
KUSA's year-round service to the local community focuses on prevention, support and action. Catching problems before they arise, the station educates and motivates their broadcast area with initiatives such as breast cancer awareness campaigns; support of the Calm a Crying Baby program, which aims to prevent shaken infant syndrome; and by hosting large and innovative health fairs across the state. KUSA is also the voice of support for local volunteerism and provides recognition of exemplary educators, leaders and volunteers. When a need arises, KUSA is first on the scene providing news and coverage as well as crucial support. Initiatives such as food, clothing and school supplies drives, a telethon that raised $1.1 million to support flood survivors and active fundraising for Colorado wildfire relief has made KUSA a hero in its community.
Category Finalists:
KABC-TV Los Angeles, Calif., ABC Owned Television Stations
WEHT-TV Evansville, Ind., Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc.
WXTV Teaneck, N.J.,,. Univision Communications, Inc.
WXYZ-TV Detroit, Mich., Scripps Television Station Group
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WLEN-FM Adrian, Mich.
Owner: Lenawee Broadcasting Company
WLEN-FM is committed to building strong generations, and has done so through excellent community service aimed at the community's youth. Through multiple campaigns throughout the year, WLEN-FM seeks to build children's confidence, provide relief and comfort and widen avenues available to them. Community initiatives include: middle and high school job-shadowing/internships at the station, scholarships, the airing of radio spots created by local students, an anti-bullying PSA contest, children's involvement in WLEN-FM's "Thank a Vet" initiative, homeless education program, Athlete of the Week, Phone Calls to Santa and much more.
Category Finalists:
KFTK-FM St. Louis, Mo., Emmis Communications Corp.
WHUR-FM Washington, D.C., Howard University
TELEVISION
KOBI Medford, Ore.
Owner: California Oregon Broadcasting Inc.
With the creation of the Youth Education Success (YES) program, KOBI has found a way to actively involve local businesses in the crusade to help schools affected by budget cuts. On a designated day each month, local "YES" businesses donate a percentage of their earnings to YES. Educators in the coverage area then apply for YES grants. In 2013, the programs KOBI touched included such things as swimming lessons for at-risk youth, anti-bullying programs, robotics clubs, greenhouses, music and sports programs and access to new technologies not supported by the schools' budgets. The result has been a tremendous impact on schools in Medford, Ore., changing not only the lives of the youths, but impacting the future of the community.
Category Finalists:
WBZ-TV Boston, Mass., CBS Television Stations
WLTV Miami, Fla., Univision Communications Inc.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
KSTP-FM St. Paul, Minn.
Owner: Hubbard Radio
The Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund was established after Zach Sobiech's story was featured on the 2012 KS95 for Kids Radiothon. At 17 years old, Zach suffered from a rare and deadly bone cancer. "Death is just another thing on the agenda," he said over a gently strummed guitar, "I want everyone to know: You don't have to find out you're dying to start living." Zach turned to music for expression and KSTP-FM recognized the powerful messages of hope contained in his song "Clouds." After its debut on the station, the song went viral. Buoyed by such a response, the Sobiech family and the Children's Cancer Research Fund established a fund dedicated to raising money for much-needed research on osteosarcoma. Through ongoing support by KSTP-FM, the fund has raised nearly $750,000.
Category Finalists:
KNAI-FM Phoenix, Ariz., Radio Campesina Network
KZST-FM Santa Rosa, Calif., Redwood Empire Stereocasters
WJMZ-FM Greenville, S.C., SummitMedia
WSOY-AM Decatur, Ill., Neuhoff Communications
TELEVISION
WCVB-TV Boston, Mass.
Owner: Hearst Television Inc
From the moment the Boston Marathon bombings shook the city, WCVB-TV was on the scene to support and help heal the community. In the immediate moments following the attack, people locally and across the nation turned to WCVB-TV for news and information. In the aftermath, WCVB-TV provided information on how to help the victims and their families and also played a significant role in rehabilitating the city. Through close involvement with the ongoing public awareness campaign "Boston Strong," WCVB-TV encouraged local residents to support Boylston Street businesses that had been closed during the police investigation, aired a four-hour, commercial-free Boston Strong concert, partnered with the American Red Cross on a blood drive and, six months after the attack, co-hosted a one-hour production of "Boston Strong: Reunited." By providing a constant resource for safety and recovery, WCVB-TV has exemplified the "Boston Strong" attitude in community service.
Category Finalists:
KOCO-TV Oklahoma City, Okla., Hearst Television Inc.
KWTV Oklahoma City, Okla., Griffin Communications
WFAA-TV Dallas, Texas, Gannett Broadcasting
WLWT Cincinnati, Ohio, Hearst Television Inc.
WTLV Jacksonville, Fla., Gannett Broadcasting
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KTUL Tulsa, Okla.
Owner: Allbritton Communications Company
KTUL in 2012 produced nearly 50 projects touching all aspects of life in the community. Among these projects, the station helped launch a Spread the Warmth blanket drive during which 5,000 blankets were collected in just four weeks. They also partnered with local organizations in the Stamp Out Hunger campaign bringing in more than 267,000 pounds of food. KTUL also focuses on prevention and health awareness, participating in such projects as the American Heart Association's year-long Go Red campaign. Children are at the forefront of KTUL's agenda. The station's staff donated time and talent to a variety of initiatives with the local Park Elementary School and the Tulsa County Library Summer Reading Program. 2012 saw record growth for all of KTUL's annual initiatives and set an example of service at the heart of a community.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WGY-AM Latham, N.Y.
Owner: Clear Channel Media and Entertainment
Each year, WGY organizes The WGY Christmas Wish Campaign benefiting children in the Northeast, with a particular attention to critical care services and recreational programs for ill, underprivileged and homeless youth. Though taking place over the winter months, this multi-faceted fundraising effort helps support local nonprofits in their year-round efforts to improve the lives of children aged 19 and under. In 2012, the campaign raised over $94,000, directly benefiting more than 100 nonprofit children's organizations that applied for grants from WGY.
TELEVISION
KSL-TV Salt Lake City, Utah
Owner: Bonneville International Corporation
In a state ranked last for per-student spending, KSL-TV recognized the great need for public awareness and action around literacy. With the creation of the Read Today grassroots movement, KSL has made great strides in ensuring elementary students read at grade level. KSL-TV's mission has already made a tremendous impact in the state. Of the 2,601 students who started the year in Read Today tutoring, 2,043 finished at grade level. In addition, $960,000 worth of books were donated to schools and four of the state's worst 10 scoring schools were moved off of the "worst" list. All were Read Today schools.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
WQHT-FM New York, N.Y.
Owner: Emmis Communications Corporation
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, WQHT Hot 97's Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation was in place to respond to the overwhelming needs of the community. During the storm, the Hot 97 broadcast stayed on through multiple power outages, providing for some the only connection to news and information. In the days following, Hot 97 ran continuous announcements providing critical information about disaster-relief locations and assistance. In addition, the station's team reached out to influential artists and public figures to provide relief to the community through fundraising and by traveling the tri-state to give out coffee, soup, blankets, clothing and other much needed items.
TELEVISION
WFTS Tampa, Fla.
Owner: The E.W. Scripps Company
WFTS launched a six week Taking Action Against Domestic Violence campaign aimed at heightening awareness, educating viewers and inspiring victims of abuse through the stories of survivors. The campaign featured weekly news stories, PSAs, in-studio interviews and a one- hour commercial-free primetime special that helped raise approximately $230,000. The statewide domestic violence hotline saw a 77% increase in calls during the six weeks alone. Amid numerous public appearances for domestic violence community events, the collection of supplies for shelters, a dedicated year-round website page and a Facebook, WFTS has created a lifeline for many suffering in the shadow of domestic abuse.
The Service to America President's Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by a broadcaster or group of broadcasters.
North Carolina Association of Broadcasters and North Carolina's Radio and Television Broadcasters
By hosting the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration, the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (NCAB), along with the USO of North Carolina and the Charlotte Motor Speedway, gave over 210,000 North Carolinian Vietnam Veterans the rightful welcome home they never received. With involvement from Senator Richard Burr, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, NCAB drew broadcasters from all over the state to create and promote a memorable one-day event for Vietnam veterans and their families, complete with a motorcycle parade, the Vietnam War Memory Wall and entertainers. Through its member stations, NCAB donated over $1,000,000 in public service announcements and produced a live one-hour broadcast of the celebration which included taped interviews of Vietnam veterans. Over 65,000 people attended the welcome home, which was aired by over 30 television and radio stations. The celebration not only honored the Vietnam veterans, it educated the public and provided vital assistance by Veteran Service Organizations.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KRGV-TV Weslaco, Texas
Owner: Manship Family
KRGV Channel 5 has focused its efforts on the Rio Grande Valley people, where many live without streets, sewers, electricity or drinkable water. As part of its year-long effort, KRGV Channel 5 has sought to bring relief to the community and encourage education and positive change through dedicated air-time, shows and PSAs. To improve the health of Hispanic women, KRGV created the Breaking the Barriers initiative aimed at raising awareness about and access to breast cancer early detection screenings. To provide school children with supplies, KRGV participated in the Shareable Wearable clothing drive for school children and also administered a charity called Teach the Children, which provided over 8,000 first grade students with new clothes and school supplies. To fight hunger and cold, KRGV hosted a canned goods drive that assembled 3,000 baskets of food for families. During the drive, KRGV also collected coats for those in need. Other efforts also included six initiatives aimed at highlighting positive role models in the Rio Grande school communities and giving students the tools and resources to succeed. For example, during a 10-week period, KRGV recognized a different Student of the Week, awarding each with a $1,000 scholarship.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WBHJ-FM Birmingham, Ala.
Owner: Cox Media Group
WBHJ has put the spotlight on Birmingham's youth, making it their mission to promote education and community involvement, and answer to children in need. Through on-air promotions, liners and live and recorded breaks, WBHJ supported a plethora of initiatives such as the annual Back to School Rally, which supplies disadvantaged children with school supplies, and Diploma Day, in partnership with The Maranathan Academy, to encourage high school drop-outs to enroll in programs to obtain their GEDs. At the holidays, through Project Santa, WBHJ provided children in need with Christmas gifts. WBHJ also played a role in prevention, with on-air personalities visiting schools to speak about the importance of education and libraries to read to children as part of the summer Jamz Reading Program. In addition, WBHJ put an emphasis on creativity and community involvement by featuring sports teams, inviting youth to take over the JAMZ station for one night and through a Fall Festival for children and families.
TELEVISION
KWTV/KOTV Oklahoma City, Okla.
Owner: Griffin Communications, L.L.C.
The Griffin Communications Food for Kids Initiative, in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, launched in April 2011 to help fight childhood hunger. At its inception, 25% of Oklahoma's children were suffering from hunger while hardly any community awareness existed about the issue. Griffin Communications decided to step in and change that by raising awareness and much-needed relief funds. To achieve their goals, over the course of the year, Griffin Communications and its television stations aired numerous PSAs, a minimum of two stories per month, posted on social media and dedicated website pages and put on promotional events such as Oklahoma's Own Ride Against Childhood Hunger and the Dine Out, Help Out initiative. Griffin's own employees embraced the cause, volunteering at food banks and donating over $10,000. Their anchors became spokespeople, providing a personal and passionate platform to sustain the Food for Kids Initiative. Since its launch, The Food for Kids Initiative raised more than $334,495, 100% of which has been donated to the Food Banks. In addition, due to public awareness, Food Banks saw a 60% increase in donations, which translates into a $1.1 million increase.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
WBLS-FM New York, N.Y.
Owner: ICBC Broadcasting Holdings
A lack of awareness and education about health has negatively affected the African American community. WBLS has strived to turn this around by creating a Community Health Initiative to bring health-related issues into the public eye. To raise awareness, WBLS provided listeners with a Health Minute covering such topics as high blood pressure, diabetes and sickle cell anemia. WBLS also placed calls to action, partnering with the Red Cross and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. to hold blood drives and raise awareness around blood shortages. Together, they collected enough blood to save over 3,000 lives. Other initiatives, such as the bone marrow drive, resulted in 400 donor registrations. WBLS, in partnership with the Harlem Chamber of Commerce, helped raise community awareness through the 5k Walk/Run for Health and also partnered with NBC 4 and New York Nonstop to host a Nonstop Day of Giving, raising close to $195,000 for City Harvest, equivalent to 720,000 pounds of food for those in need.
TELEVISION
Belo Corp.
In 1999, tragedy struck Columbine High School when a young man shot and killed several of his classmates. Among those killed was Rachel Joy Scott, whose beliefs and story is at the heart of Rachel's Challenge, a non-profit organization begun by her family based on her desires to promote kindness and compassion. Belo responded to Rachel's call to service and began its involvement several years ago in Boise, Idaho. Since then, all television stations in Belo's fifteen markets have joined the cause. In these cities, Rachel's Challenge has reached 348 schools and nearly 383,000 people through awareness raised by dedicated air time, promotions and over 2,300 PSAs. In 2011, all participating stations devoted three minutes of content to Rachel's Challenge each week highlighting stories of suicide prevention and an end to bullying. In addition, local anchors emceed and covered with live reports year-end rallies, while many stations ran 30-minute specials featuring stories about the many positive impacts of Rachel's challenge. Through persistent and impassioned involvement, Belo has helped deliver a long-lasting message of non-violence and compassion to communities across America.
Multiple award-winning actress Glenn Close received the 2012 Service to America Leadership Award, NABEF's highest honor, for her mental illness advocacy work. State Farm received the Corporate Leadership Award for their extraordinary focus on community service and corporate social responsibility.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WDIV Detroit, Mich.
Owner: Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc.
WDIV's year-round efforts include "Ruth to the Rescue," led by WDIV award-winning consumer reporter and producer Ruth Spencer. The "Ruth to the Rescue" team worked together to come up with solutions to a variety of challenges impacting their local community. Additionally, WDIV's Help for Haiti (a project involving several metro Detroit organizations) helped raise two million dollars for Haiti relief donations and medical supplies. Other WDIV initiatives include Bookstock, Arab American International Festival, Gleaners Community Food Bank and Salvation Army/Dundee Tornado Relief Telethon.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WHUR-FM Washington, D.C.
Owner: Howard University
WHUR-FM is rooted in the concept of "It Takes A Village." Using that theme, in 2010, the radio station wrapped numerous service programs around the Washington region's neediest kids. Partnering with area schools, non-profit organizations and the Prince George's County Police, these events included fundraisers, benefits, partnerships and town hall meetings to help educate youth about the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Additionally, WHUR-FM collected items for needy children, totaling $165,000 in monetary value for clothing and shoes.
TELEVISION
WLKY Louisville, Ky.
Owner: Hearst Television, Inc.
Established in 1980, WLKY Wednesday's Child program seeks to find adoptive homes for special needs children awaiting adoption in the state of Kentucky. In 2010, the overall efforts of this program included a weekly news feature every Wednesday, annual adoption fairs, news coverage of special events, PSA campaigns and much more. With 800 children awaiting adoption in Kentucky, and approximately 600 termed as "special needs," WLKY is the voice for children needing a home in their community.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
KPLU-FM Tacoma, Wash.
Owner: Pacific Lutheran University
KPLU-FM created the School of Jazz project to engage jazz professionals with public high school jazz bands in Western Washington in a mentorship program, culminating in the production of a CD. In phase one of the mentoring program, each jazz musician practiced with and coached their jazz band at the school in preparation for phase two, which united the jazz musicians and school bands together into the studio to record songs for a CD. The CD was promoted in local and national press, raising approximately $13,500. In the last two years, the program has benefited approximately 150 students.
TELEVISION
WHTM-TV Harrisburg, Pa.
Owner: Allbritton Communications Company
On October 18, 2010, a devastating fire swept through a downtown Harrisburg home. Immediately following the fire, WHTM-TV joined forces with the City of Harrisburg and the Mayor's office to establish a plan to prevent another tragedy. "Operation Safe Kids" was launched as a multi-faceted campaign to encourage residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves and loved ones. WHTM-TV also teamed up with Operation Save a Life partner Kidde to distribute more than 50,000 smoke alarms across Central Pennsylvania.
Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges received the 2011 Service to America Leadership Award, NABEF's highest honor, for his dedication to ending childhood hunger in America. Target Corp. received the Corporate Leadership Award for their extraordinary focus on community service and corporate social responsibility.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WRAZ-TV Durham, N.C.
Owner: Capitol Broadcasting Corporation
WRAZ-TV's year-round efforts to serve their local community include "Get Real, Get Tested" an initiative that promotes the importance of HIV testing, "Fight NC Foreclosure" to assist homeowners faced with losing their homes, "What Color Do YOU Bleed?" to encourage donations to the American Red Cross, eCycling to promote electronics recycling and "FOX50 Family Fest," a free event featuring interactive family activities.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
KSTP-FM Minneapolis, Minn.
Owner: Hubbard Radio
A 2008 recipient of the Service to Children Award, KSTP-FM is being honored once again for their outstanding community service during the 2009 calendar year. KSTP-FM has raised money for the Children's Cancer Research Fund and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Fundraisers included KS95 for Kids Radiothon, KS95's Change for Kids Finale and the KS95 for Kids Golf Tournament. Other initiatives included the Torchlight 5K and school supply and toy drives.
TELEVISION
WWMT-TV Kalamazoo, Mich.
Owner: Freedom Broadcasting
"Caring for Kids," WWMT-TV's day-long phone-a-thon aired January 13 to encourage parents to call and enroll their children in under-utilized state health insurance programs for children. The phone-a-thon helped process over 600 children who now have health insurance. Additional news segments through the year helped further promote the program and get additional children enrolled.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
KPAM-AM Portland, Ore.
Owner: Pamplin Communications
KPAM-AM's Operation: Santa Claus raised money to provide financial assistance to members of the armed forces and their families. All contributions went to the Salvation Army's "Home Front War Relief Program." In five days, over $131,000 was raised. More than a half-million dollars have been raised since the program's inception in 2004.
TELEVISION
KOMU-TV Columbia, Mo.
Owner: Curators of the University of Missouri
KOMU-TV's "Central Missouri Honor Flight" raised more than $315,000 to send approximately 400 terminally ill and aging veterans to Washington, D.C., to see their memorials. While there are nearly 90 Honor Flight hubs across the country, KOMU's is the only one started and sustained by TV station employees.
2000s
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WFMY-TV Greensboro, N.C.
Owner: Gannett Broadcasting
WFMY has a history of reaching out to the local community and providing answers to tough questions such as how to feed the hungry or how to improve the education system. The station's outreach keeps viewers informed about those in need and gets them involved in being part of the solution. Efforts include Operation Greensboro Cares, the annual Food 2 Families campaign (now in its 17th year), Tools for School (which helped more than 19,000 students in 15 school systems in 2008), free swimming classes for needy children and Go Healthy Month to educate children about healthy lifestyles.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WLEN-FM Adrian, Mich.
Owner: Lenawee Broadcasting Co.
Every day WLEN serves children of all ages in their community. The station sponsors a number of events and initiatives for children, including public service campaigns produced by youth groups and student interns, and broadcasts highlighting the "Student of the Day" and the "Athlete of the Week." WLEN also involves the youth of their community in helping others. With Mission Possible, youth groups helped raise money to provide shelter for homeless men in the community.
TELEVISION
WCIU-TV Chicago, Ill.
Owner: Weigel Broadcasting Co.
WCIU-TV's "Green Screen Adventures" translates stories and drawings submitted by Chicago Public School students from grades 2 through 8 into television productions. The show's goal is to encourage children to be enthusiastic about reading and writing and to promote character development. In addition to a cast of professional writers and performers, "Green Screen Adventures" invites the student authors to be on the set and participate in the production of their stories. Since the program premiered in 2007, they have completed more than 125 episodes featuring the work of more than 675 students from 120 Chicago Public Schools.
This category honors radio and television broadcasters for individual campaigns, projects or programs that serve the public good or otherwise provide exemplary service to their local communities.
RADIO
Delmarva Broadcasting Co. Wilmington, Del.
SmartDrive is a driver improvement program conceived by Delmarva Broadcasting Company in response to a rash of preventable teen vehicle deaths. The program has been developed in partnership with a variety of public and private organizations concerned with traffic safety. Now in its fourth year of operation, SmartDrive operates in 76 schools in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, reaching over 35,000 students and yielding approximately 6,100 active participants. SmartDrive is credited with the steady decline in teen vehicle deaths that has occurred since the program was launched in 2004.
TELEVISION
KOBI/KOTI-TV Medford, Ore.
Owner: California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WYFF Greenville, S.C.
Owner: Hearst-Argyle
During 2007, WYFF worked with more than 48 local community organizations on public service and community initiatives. At the core of the station's outreach is its Community Task Force program involving monthly meetings with community leaders to discuss local issues, concerns and ideas. WYFF also has long established relationships with the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, the Urban League and the United Way. Other station efforts include the South Carolina Shrinkdown, Safe Kids Upstate, Holiday Sunshine Fund and Virtual Toy Drive.
Univision Communications and its local radio and television stations
Univision Communications Inc. became the first media company to launch an original, comprehensive national public service campaign designed to educate and prepare the Hispanic community for the transition to digital television. Launched on October 1, 2007, this national multi-platform public service campaign includes PSAs featuring some of Univision, TeleFutura and Galavisións most popular hosts, a web presence, 30-minute television specials, local newscasts and local outreach efforts.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
KSTP-FM Minneapolis, Minn.
Hubbard Radio
The annual "KS95 for Kids Radiothon," which raised more than $912,000 in 2007, is more than an annual event. It is a year-round partnership between KSTP, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare and Children's Cancer Research Fund that impacts children and families dealing with cancer and other health challenges. Since 1999, the annual 60-hour broadcast has raised more than $9.5 million.
TELEVISION
KRGV Weslaco, Texas
Manship Family Stations
Located near the Texas-Mexico border of the Rio Grande Valley, KRGV serves a unique population. Many families in this area live in poverty, and the needs of the children in this community are great. From providing coats, school supplies and library books to helping students prepare for college through its "Gear Up" and "Masterminds" efforts, KRGV helps provide opportunities for needy children to meet their potential.
These awards honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
WYCT Pensacola, Fla.
ADX Communications
When WYCT learned that a local Naval Reserve Unit in their community was deploying to Kuwait, they decided to make them a part of the family. The station got to know the men and women of Battalion 11, broadcast their stories and saw them off when they left for the Middle East. For Thanksgiving, the station sent a member of their morning show to the Middle East to deliver "Letters from Home." In just three days, the station received more than 14,000 letters, far exceeding their goal of 3,000.
TELEVISION
KTVB-TV Boise, Idaho
Belo Corp.
In March 2007, KTVB News Group took on the issue of methamphetamine use and became the exclusive media contributor to "March Against Meth." The station dedicated 100 percent of its public service resources to this statewide month-long campaign to educate adults and children. Moreover, the campaign resulted in the Idaho Governor's involvement in launching the Idaho Meth Project and created new support for building the area's first detox center.
Given to one television and one radio station, these awards recognize broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
Omni Broadcasting
Partner: Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota
Omni Broadcasting Company consists of ten FM radio stations and two AM radio stations in Central and Northern Minnesota. Each December, Omni stations broadcast the annual 24-hour "Radiothon to End Child Abuse." In 2007, Omni stations provided free airtime valued at $276,000. The 2007 radiothon raised over $220,000. More than $2 million has been raised since the partnership began in 1989.
TELEVISION
KTVK Phoenix, Ariz.
Belo Corp.
Partners: Fore Adoption Foundation and Aid to Adoption of Special Kids
Since "Are You My Family" premiered in June 2006, 59 children have been featured on the KTVK newscast and on the web. Of those, 32 have been matched with adoptive families - well over twice the rate at which these children are normally adopted. In 2007, the station also produced a special half-hour program to explain the adoption process. Because of the success of this special partnership, the state agency responsible for these children is considering expanding the strategy throughout the state of Arizona.
This award recognizes a non-commercial or commercial tax-exempt college radio station for its efforts to serve its community.
WCRX Chicago, Ill.
Columbia College Chicago
WCRX Columbia College Chicago is deeply connected to the students and to the community it serves. From a food drive to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository and its Job Outlook '07 to award-winning student produced PSAs and original programming, WCRX provides excellent student opportunities and experiences, creating future broadcast leaders. In 2007, WCRX won two student production awards from College Broadcasters, Inc. - one for best documentary and one for best PSA.
NABEF's highest honor, the Leadership Award, was presented to Quincy Jones. The Samaritan Award was presented to Randy Owen, who accepted the award on behalf of Country Cares for St. Jude Kids.
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WLKY Louisville, Ky.
Owner: Hearst Television
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WLEN Adrian, Mich.
TELEVISION
WCIV Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
Owner: Allbritton Communications
These awards honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
KFI-AM Burbank, Calif.
Owner: Clear Channel
TELEVISION
KYTV Sprindfield, Mo.
Owner: Schurz Communications
Given to one television and one radio station, these awards recognize broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
KGO San Francisco, Calif.
Owner: Cumulus Media
TELEVISION
KMOV St. Louis. Mo.
Owner: Belo Corp.
Gulf Coast Broadcasters and Local Broadcasters Nationwide Hurricane Katrina Efforts
Accepted by:
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
WTMX Chicago, Ill., with partner Children's Memorial Hospital
Owner: Bonneville
TELEVISION
KRON-TV San Francisco, Calif., with partners Students Rising Above, The Peninsula Community Foundation, The Summer Search Foundation
Owner: Young Broadcasting
KMSU Minnesota State University
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
KVAK Valdez, Alaska
Owner: Northwave Communications
TELEVISION
WLTV Miami, Florida
Owner: Univision
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
KHUM Ferndale, Calif.
Owner: Lost Coast Communications
TELEVISION
WSET Lynchburg, Va.
Owner: Allbritton
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WPBF West Palm Beach, Fla.
Owner: Hearst-Argyle
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WXYZ-TV Detroit, Mich.
Owner: Scripps Howard Broadcasting Company
WXYZ demonstrates its commitment to the community by supporting a multitude of civic and charitable causes.
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
WBAL-AM Baltimore, Md.
Owner: Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc.
For 22 years, WBAL's "Radio Kids Campaign" has been a year-round effort to raise money for needy children.
RADIO- SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WLTL-FM LaGrange, Ill.
Owner: Lyons Township High Schools
WLTL-FM's RADIO ECHO (Every Child Has Opportunities) provides an in-house radio station devoted to the idea that sick kids get well faster when stimulated with music and alternative stress-reducing therapies.
TELEVISION - SMALL MARKET
WMAZ-TV Macon, Ga.
Owner: Gannett Broadcasting
WMAZ-TV Macon trains broadcasters of the future with its Junior Journalist Program.
TELEVISION - MEDIUM/LARGE MARKET
WAWS-TV Jacksonville, Fla.
Owner: Clear Channel Television
WAWS has committed a major portion of its community service efforts toward literacy issues in a city where 47 percent of adults are functionally illiterate.
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
KLOS-FM Los Angeles, Calif.
Owner: ABC, Inc.
Partner: American Red Cross
In 2004, the 23rd annual KLOS Blood Drive set a new record for a multi-day, multi-site blood drive collecting 6,250 units for the American Red Cross.
TELEVISION
WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio
Owner: Dispatch Broadcast Group
Partner: Huntington National Bank
WBNS 10 TV's "10TV Show You Care" has helped the community by running programs like Project Safe Child; The Food Parade the largest one-day food drive in Columbus; Tools for Schools; the 10TV Family Fund; and Show You Care and Vote, which registered 1,600 new voters in 2004.
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
WQCS-FM Fort Pierce, Fla.
Owner: Indian River Community College
More than 15 years ago, WQCS put together a hurricane plan that proved crucial in providing wall-to-wall coverage and citizen outreach during the spate of hurricanes which hit Florida last year.
TELEVISION
WPEC-TV West Palm Beach, Fla.
Owner: Freedom Broadcasting
WPEC-TV responded in extraordinary ways to a pair of disasters in 2004 - Hurricane Frances, which struck Florida in September, followed by Hurricane Jeanne just 20 days later.
Tom Joyner, founder, REACH Media
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KTUL Tulsa, Okla.
Owner: Allbritton
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
WRAR Tappahannock, Va.
Owner: Tappahannock Comms
TELEVISION
KGTV San Diego, Calif.
Owner: McGraw-Hill
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
WHUR Washington, D.C., and Family Crisis Center of Prince George's County
Owner: Howard University
TELEVISION
KSDK St. Louis, Mo., and Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition
Owner: Gannett
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
RADIO
KVAK Valdez, Alaska
Owner: Northwave Communications
TELEVISION SMALL MARKET
WMDT Salisbury, Md.
Owner: Brechner Management
TELEVISION MEDIUM/LARGE MARKET
KMOV St. Louis. Mo.
Owner: Belo
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WGAL Lancaster, Pa.
Owner: Hearst Television
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
WWZZ-WWVZ Arlington, Va.
Owner: Bonneville
TELEVISION
WAFF Huntsville, Ala.
Owner: Raycom Media
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
KDWB Minneapoli, Minn., and University Pediatrics Foundation
Owner: Clear Channel
TELEVISION
WCVB Needham, Mass., and United Way of Massachusetts Bay/KeySpan Energy Delivery
Owner: Hearst Television
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
TELEVISION SMALL MARKET
KVIA El Paso, Texas
Owner: News-Press Gazette
TELEVISION LARGE MARKET
WLTV Miami, Fla.
Owner: Univision Communications
Mary Hart, Entertainment Tonight
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KVUE Austin, Texas
Owner: Belo
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
KGO San Francisco, Calif.
Owner: Cumulus
TELEVISION
WBIR Knoxville, Tenn.
Owner: Gannett
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
KIXI and Habitat for Humanity Bellevue, Wash.
Owner: Sandusky Radio
TELEVISION
WGAL and Millersville University Lancaster, Pa.
Owner: Hearst Television
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
TELEVISION SMALL MARKET
KHQ Spokane, Wash.
Owner: Cowles Publishing Co.
TELEVISION LARGE MARKET
KSWB San Diego, Calif.
Owner: Tribune
The Amber Plan Participants
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WSBT South Bend, Ind.
Owner: Schurz
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
KSTP St. Paul, Minn.
Owner: Hubbard
TELEVISION
KRQE Albuquerque, N.M.
Owner: LIN
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
WBAL Baltimore. Md., and Maryland Food Bank
Owner: Hearst
KFOG San Francisco, Calif., and San Francisco Bay Area Food Banks
Owner: Cumulus
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
TELEVISION SMALL MARKET
KBCI Boise, Idaho
Owner: Fisher
TELEVISION LARGE MARKET
KMOV St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Belo
Children's Miracle Network
Paramount's "The Teen Files"
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
KMGH Denver, Colo.
Owner: Scripps
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
KPWR Burbank, Calif.
Owner: Emmis
TELEVISION
WNCT Greenville, N.C.
Owner: Media General
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
TELEVISION
WTAE and Salvation Army of Southwestern PA, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Owner: Hearst
RADIO
WSYR and CARE/McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Site Syracuse, N.Y.
Owner: Newport Television
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
TELEVISION SMALL MARKET
KLTV Tyler, Texas
Owner: Raycom Media
TELEVISION LARGE MARKET
WPWR Chicago, Ill.
Owner: Fox
1990s
Don Imus
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WFOR Miami, Fla.
Owner: CBS
These awards, given to one television and one radio station, honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
RADIO
WZZK Birmingham, Ala.
Owner: Cox Media
TELEVISION
KELO Sioux Falls, S.D.
Owner: Young
Given to one television and one radio station, this shared award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
RADIO
Omni Broadcasting and CellularOne of Central Minnesota
Owner: Omni
TELEVISION
WJXX Jacksonville, Fla., and Winn-Dixie
Owner: Gannett
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
Children - TV Locally Produced Programs
KARE Minneapolis, Minn.
Owner: Gannett
Children - TV Public Service Campaigns/PSAs
KOTV Tulsa, Okla.
Owner: Griffin Communications
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