Turkey Drive: Local radio airwaves providing support and promotion to annual fundraiser
SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The annual News Channel 12 Turkey Drive is once again receiving significant and valuable support from two Central Coast radio partners.
Santa Maria-based Emerald Wave Media, which operates Hot Hits Fuego (97.1 FM) and La Buena (105.1 FM), is providing on-air promotion to its listeners throughout each day.
"We will use our three stations, one English and two Spanish and we'll use our Facebook and social media platforms and a little bit of digital we'll put out there because we think it's important," said Ed Carcarey, Emerald Wave Sales Vice President. "We think the community should get together with this. They have an option and an opportunity to be involved with the rest of us."
In addition, San Luis Obispo-based Dimes Media, which operates WiLD 106, 95.3 The Beach, B98.5, Alt 93.7 and KPIG, is also using its airwaves to offer valuable information about the event.
"Being able to do these big community events and to help out the less fortunate is a very big deal to us here at Dimes Media," said Matthew Florence, WILD 206 program director and morning show host. "Being a locally owned company, we like to be out and about in the community and doing as many of these events as we can, and this is that time of the year when we need to be giving, helping people out and to say, it's okay to be selfless still."
During breaks between songs, both local radio groups will help inform listeners with important information about the Turkey Drive and how listeners will be able to donate.
"The holidays are a great sense of giving," said Ricardo Cano, WILD 106 host. "It brings out the human nature in us, the kindness, the warmth and the overall good in our hearts, and the Turkey Drive, we definitely see it, people coming out donating frozen turkeys, Turkey Bucks, anything helps. We're looking forward to being a part of it this year."
The two radio companies also take part on the final day Turkey Drive, with on-air personalities broadcasting live from drop-off locations in Santa Maria and Pismo Beach.
"I love being able to meet our listeners, being able to meet people face to face is cool," said said 95.3 The Beach host Shawn Truax. "It's part of why we like living in this small community and being able to be accessible with everybody and our neighbors, so I enjoy it a lot."
Both local businesses have supported the Turkey Drive for several years, continuing a legacy of giving back to the community from all three media outlets.
"Dimes is really committed to just being a part of the community and being involved and this is something that is a great way to be involved, especially around the holidays," said Truax. "To have these individual businesses get together for such a great cause is really cool to be a part of and it's a great hometown feel to make sure everybody is included and everybody is involved and people are so supportive of our friends and neighbors in the community."
The News Channel 12 Turkey Drive is set for Tuesday, November 15, with all proceeds benefiting thousands of clients with Good Samaritan Shelter in Santa Barbara County and SLO Food Bank in San Luis Obispo County.
For more information, or to donate, visit the News Channel 12 Turkey Drive webpage.
