Brattleboro Reformer (Vermont)

December 29, 2005 Thursday

Community radio station conducts fund drive

DATELINE: BRATTLEBORO

Brattleboro area residents will soon be able to reprogram their radio tuners to include 107.7 WVEW-LPFM, Brattleboro Community Radio, which will begin broadcasting this spring.

The new 100-watt, non-profit, non-commercial, public-access station is currently renovating a studio space in downtown Brattleboro, ordering equipment, recruiting volunteers and organizing a fundraising drive to help meet operating costs for 2006.

Brattleboro Community Radio [BCR] is a project of Vermont Earth Works, a local non-profit organization with 501[c]3 status that received a permit to begin constructing the new station from the Federal Communications Commission in March 2005.

According to Vermont Earth Works President Deb Forrett, "We want to put the word out that we're looking for people from all walks of life and all ages to join us in creating a station that everyone in Brattleboro can be proud of. Whether you want to DJ, help us build and paint, do graphic design or have ideas for raising funds, now is the time to express your interest and get involved."

All participants in BCR are volunteers and range from middle school students to senior citizens; everyone is welcome.

"Our fundraising goal for 2006 is $10,770, which is just a couple of decimal points away from our frequency of 107.7," explained Ken Brace, who is both a Vermont Earth Works Board Member and a Brattleboro Community Radio participant.

In keeping with the new frequency theme, the station is asking for tax-deductible donations of $107.70 from residents and businesses that will forever be known as the station's "founding supporters."

"We're building a station that will serve area school-groups, non-profits, and individuals; people who want to learn new skills, and people who want to share their music and opinions with our community. To do this, BCR needs founding supporters and volunteers who share our vision and are who willing to contribute their energy and resources to help us get started," said Brace. He added, "Besides, you get some great benefits when you become a BCR founding supporter, benefits like your own hour-long radio show. You'll be able to come into our studio to play the music you enjoy and talk about the issues you care about on-air. We'll even provide someone to help engineer it for you."

Project volunteers are meeting biweekly on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m., in the Selectboard Meeting Room of the Brattleboro Municipal Center, and there are several committees that meet at various other times. To learn more about how to get involved or to become a founding supporter with your tax-deductible donation, contact Brattleboro Community Radio by calling [802] 258-3881, e-mailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or writing to P.O. Box 365, Brattleboro, VT 05302. There is also a Web site under construction at http://www.wvew.org.

LOAD-DATE: December 29, 2005