Members of the Sturgis, Mich., Elks were in the WBET(FM) studio for the 15th hour of the May 21 Radiothon.

On May 21, Swick Broadcasting's WBET-FM (Sturgis) held its 17th Annual Radiothon for the St. Joseph County United Way network of agencies.  The event, which aired from 6 a.m. to Midnight, raised $198,000, exceeding last year's record of $183,000.

Tom Duke, Swick Broadcasting’s Senior Account Executive and Sports Director, told Radio World, "Local Radio Works. Our relationship with the community is what carries us from day to day.”

The Radiothon invites area businesses and community leaders as celebrity DJ teams. The goal: To host a single hour during the radiothon and raise as much money as they could within that period.  In the civic division, St. Joseph County Sheriff Chad Spence and Undersheriff David Northrop raised approximately $49,000. In the corporate division, Morgan Olson raised $40,000.

Pewter microphone trophies were awarded to the guest hosts that raised the most money in their hour.

It’s worked well, fostering a “can you top this” kind of mindset. Much of the credit, Duke said, goes to St. Joseph County United Way Director Kelly Hostetler and her staff.

WBET morning show host Mike Stiles hosted all 18 hours of the Radiothon assisted by Digital Media Producer Emily Stemen, welcoming DJs and community members who stopped by throughout the day, raffling off prizes such as a golf cart.

“We never dreamed after the first year that the Radiothon would grow into such a great community event,” Duke said.