“Hang in there.”
Friends of WGDR/WGDH -
"Hang in there. Stay awesome." This was a note we got from an out-of-state listener last week. He was reaching out to offer hope that the recovery efforts in Vermont were going well and to thank us for the kind of coverage we were offering listeners in those first few days and the weeks that followed.
Photo credit CVCR: Some of the programmers you've heard on the air.
As a station, we were fortunate to not be physically impacted by the flooding at either of our locations. This enabled us to immediately get on the air with relief information, letting folks know about washed-out roads, shelter locations, and places to get help or offer help. As the days wore on, many programmers began just simply offering comfort, company, and even a little humor over the airwaves. Many of our music shows leaned into the moment playing themed shows with music to clean to, take a break with, or just dance out the stress with.
We were able to be here for the community because just this past April we more than doubled the number of locally made shows. As you know, now, over 50 programmers are bringing their voices on the air, their perspectives, and their talents. All of these folks rose to this moment, opening the phone lines to callers to share their experiences, interviewing FEMA and SBA experts to explain application processes for recovery funding, and even offering solace for these hard times. Like during the early days of the pandemic, we felt honored to be a resource folks turned to in a time of need.
I have to say, as the station manager, I've never been more proud to be part of the station. Thank you to all our programmers who have stepped up to this moment. We had one programmer hike out of their own washed-out road, hitch a ride, and go live with support for listeners. Another programmer came back to do their first live show in many years, taking calls, and sharing real-time information on road conditions, shelters, and more. Another show "put on their muck boots" and still held their bluegrass barn dance so listeners could dance it out after days of mucking out. This is what community radio is all about.
If you drive around our listening area, it is very apparent that this recovery will continue for weeks and months. Some may never recover from the impact. As a station, we remain committed to helping in any way we can. With that in mind, we are offering the following:
We will continue to put updates on FEMA, SBA, and state and local relief services on our website. This includes how to apply for funding and more.
We've had FEMA and SBA staff on the air during Carl Etnier's "Relocalizing Vermont" over the last few weeks to answer common questions about eligibility and more. You can listen back to the most recent show on our archives and the one a few weeks back here.
If you or someone you know is planning a benefit fundraiser for relief efforts in your community, we'd like to add that to our community events calendar. We can't broadcast GoFundMe campaigns due to FCC rules, but we can announce fundraiser events for community resources like food shelves, etc. You can submit those here.
Lastly, we know some businesses and organizations have managed to reopen already or have switched to online sales to get cash flow going again for payrolls and to stay afloat while recovery funding is sorted out. We'd like to offer special once-a-week, no fee upfront, underwriting spots for the next 3-6 months, for places impacted by flooding. We can help get the word out that you are open or online. If this is of interest, please reach out to me at Llu@WGDR.org.
Please consider WGDR & WGDH a strong resource ready to be at your disposal to get the word out about ways to help. We are here also as solace through music and connection for each other through the airwaves at 91.1 FM and 91.7 FM.
In community with you,
Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, Station Manager
Llu@WGDR.org, 802-276-0365 (office line, can be texted)
