Community Service Report

Michigan Broadcasters Serve Michigan Communities

For local radio and television stations, community service is more than a passing concern. It is a way of doing business. Everyday in Michigan, from Detroit to Escanaba and everywhere in between, broadcasters are going to bat for community charities, educating residents about important local issues, delivering life-saving information in times of disaster, and continually renewing their commitment to their communities.

Michigan Broadcasters’ Contributions annually include $53,360,686 in Charitable Contributions, $81,636,827 in Disaster Relief, $195,349,264 in Donated Airtime. 178 is the average number of PSAs each radio and TV station airs each Week. $330,346,777 in total public service contribution.

Download the 2023 MAB Community Service Report

One of the main missions of the MAB is to help their members serve their communities better. In doing this we seek out issues of statewide importance which have been identified by individuals and lawmakers to help. MAB members work collectively on a volunteer basis to educate listeners and viewers on the important issues through the airing of on-air messages. No other industry has the impact on local communities like free over-the-air broadcasting. Michigan radio and television stations understand the importance of community service. They live it every day.

Districts 1-2

Radio Results Network (U.P.)

WTIQ-FM, WGKL-FM, WCMM-FM, WGLQ-FM, WCHT-FM (Escanaba), WUPZ-FM, WUPG-FM, WUPF-FM, WDMJ-AM, WJPD-FM (Marquette), WIMK-FM, WMIQ-AM, WZNL-FM (Iron Mountain), WUPT-FM (Ontonagon)
“Stuff The Studio” was Radio Results Network’s 1st Annual Food Drive to collect non-perishable food donations to fill local food pantries across much of the Upper Peninsula! The stations did live remote broadcasts at several local businesses to raise awareness of the project and collect food in several cities and towns. Locations included Escanaba/Gladstone, Marquette, Manistique, Iron Mt. & several others in between. Nearly two tons of food was distributed to local food pantries in the U.P.

WLUC-TV (Marquette)

WLUC-TV (Marquette)

WLUC TV6 partners with businesses, including 75 schools, and sets up 300 drop locations throughout the Upper Peninsula to collect for the Canathon. In 2022, monetary and item donations contributed to a total of $165,000 pounds of food, bringing the 40-year combined total to 4.8 million pounds of food collected. All food collected in a community through the TV6 Canathon stays there to “help feed a hungry neighbor” and is distributed through churches, the Salvation Army, & St. Vincent DePaul.

Black DIamond Broadcast Group (Traverse City)

WWTV/WWUP-TV (Cadillac)

WWTV/WWUP-TV (Cadillac)

WWTV-TV/9&10 Media Group welcomed the addition of NanBop Farm to their family of brands. The stations shared many steps along the way with viewers from planning sketches and weed suppression education to the acquisition of livestock and winter preparation. This farm is a place where viewers can learn the pros and cons of modern farming and how to participate in and build community supported agriculture. In October, viewers came out for a harvest themed day of tours, hayrides, & of course plenty of opportunities to warm up with hot cocoa. The vision to start a farm, and even the name, NanBop, come from the legacy of former owner, Mario Iacobelli – known to his family as Boppy.

WCZY-FM/WMMI-AM (Mt. Pleasant)

WCZY-FM/WMMI-AM (Mt. Pleasant)

Latitude Media’s WCZY-FM and WMMI-AM/FM (Mt. Pleasant) celebrated Halloween with its listeners with its annual “Boo Fest” at the Isabella County Fairgrounds. The free two-hour event gave kids (and adults alike) the opportunity to dress up and trick-or-treat without worrying about any dangers of going door-to-door. The event was sponsored by the stations as well as Greentree Co-op Market, Mr. Rooter, MyMichiganHealth and Krapohl Ford & Lincoln.

WION-AM (Ionia)

WION-AM (Ionia)
“Treasures for Troops” collected items on behalf of Blue Star Mothers Chapter #188 of Ionia, Montcalm, and Kent Counties. WION conducted live broadcasts November 14-18 from the Village Market of Muir, Young Chevrolet-Buick-GMC of Ionia, and the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. More than 230 boxes were packed with donations and collected in this yearly event, and included letters, cards, and notes from Saranac, Ionia, and Lowell students, Ionia area residents, and others. The boxes went to active military members deployed far from home.

WBCH-FM/AM (Hastings)

WBCH-FM/AM (Hastings)

WBCH held its annual ‘Christmas SOS’ (Stuff Our Station) effort partnering with local businesses to collect new, unwrapped Christmas gifts for the Barry County Kids program. Families register with and qualify through the Barry County United Way and are based on need. “Barry County Kids” helps parents who are unable to provide Christmas Gifts. WBCH has spearheaded the Christmas SOS project for nearly 20 years, serving hundreds of local families.

District 3

WGHN-FM (Grand Haven)

WGHN-FM (Grand Haven)

The 2022 Covering the Tri-Cities Coat Drive collected a record 2,038 coats and hundreds of mittens, hats, and scarves to benefit local charities and missions. The six-week coat drive featured local partners Plantenga's Cleaners that generously accepted and dry-cleaned the donated coats, and Tri-Cities Credit Union that supported the coordination of drop boxes and promotion. More than 30 drop boxes were available at businesses, churches and nonprofits throughout the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and Muskegon area.

During November and December, WGHN partnered with the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation to give those that help others a voice to tell their story. The station highlighted 21 Nonprofit Impact Organizations that support the community. Representatives from each organization were given the opportunity to come to the WGHN studios and record their story to convey to listeners how their organization could benefit from financial support during the Season of Giving. The promotional schedule ran across all dayparts. WGHN matched the broadcast schedule during this six-week effort for added awareness.

WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids)

WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids)

WOOD-TV’s Football Frenzy Food Drive collected 16,903 pounds of food, all donated back to the community. In two years, the WOOD-TV food drive has collected more than 30,000 pounds of food which has benefited 17 hyperlocal communities in the West Michigan area. At the end of the season, the WOOD TV staff donated to Feeding America West Michigan and joined the community in affecting change in the stories the station covered each day.

WXMI-TV (Grand Rapids)

WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids)

WZZM-TV 13 (Grand Rapids)

In 2022, WZZM 13 On Your Side worked with programs serving ten different counties; every family who asked for assistance received it. The station’s 13 Reads literacy initiative put books into homes and classrooms, sponsored a summer reading festival, and more. The station partnered with United Ways across Michigan for the annual Summer StockUp, a month-long campaign to call attention to the food crisis brought on by the pandemic. The team at WZZM created 13 Loves Pets which is an ongoing campaign to advocate for animals in need of loving families. And finally, WZZM's annual Toys for Tots campaign collected more than 10,000 toys.

District 4

WIRX-FM (Benton Harbor)

WIRX-FM (Benton Harbor)

Midwest Family Broadcasting's WIRX-FM combined Halloween and golf for the 2022 WIRX Hole-O-Ween Golf tournament at Pipestone Creek Golf Course in Berrien County. The sold-out event had nearly 100 golfers on the course alongside the "Plan B Morning Show" (Brock & Hunter from Rock 107 WIRX). The event benefited Paws of Hope which raised $3,250 for the volunteer-only foster care and animal rescue group.

Districts 5-6

WCSR-FM (Hillsdale)

WCSR-FM (Hillsdale)

Hosts Bob Flynn and Juli Morgan rang bells for the Salvation Army during a five-hour remote broadcast at the Hillsdale Market House. Other community partners donated proceeds to bring the total raised to $13,010.50 which goes to Hillsdale County programs for those in need, administered by the Salvation Army 360 Life Center, such as a food pantry, utility assistance, free weekly lunches, emergency assistance, and more.

WKHM-FM (Jackson)

WKHM-FM (Jackson)

McKibbin Media Group held its annual Charity Radiothon November 11, 2022 and raised more than $12,200 for two causes - $11,200 went to Henry Ford Jackson Hospice Home to help families in need pay for costs not covered by insurance and $1,000 was donated to Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Veterans Day. Monster Motors was a major sponsor of the Charity Radiothon with a donation of $3,500 to the cause.

WLEN-FM (Adrian)

WLEN-FM (Adrian)

On Veteran’s Day (11/11), Lenawee Broadcasting’s WLEN-FM/WQTE-FM (Adrian) held its 17th annual daylong “Thank A Vet” fundraiser and raised a record $48,000! All of the proceeds benefit Lenawee Vets through the Veteran’s Dire Needs Fund administered through Housing Help of Lenawee. A portion of this year’s fundraising will also go toward a new veteran’s home in Lenawee County.

A tragic fire in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 24 temporarily closed Associated Charities of Lenawee and closed down their back-to-school distribution of clothing, shoes, backpacks and school supplies to families in need. In response, WLEN (Lenawee Broadcasting Company) and WQTE (Southeast Michigan Media) Radio stations immediately addressed this catastrophic event with a curbside collection of monetary donations and gift cards.

District 7

WQHH-FM (Lansing)

WQHH-FM (Lansing)

MacDonald Broadcasting’s WQHH-FM (Lansing) held their 12th Annual Backpack Giveaway to help students and families prepare for the start of the new school year. Assisted by station sponsors as well as Communities in Schools of Michigan, and Delta Dental, the station handed out the backpacks drive-through style. The backpacks were available to students elementary school through high school.

WILX-TV (Lansing)

WILX-TV (Lansing)

WILX-TV partnered with four charities in 2022 as part of its Make an Impact initiative through phone banking and community action. These initiatives were week-long events designed to make the greatest impact. The Capital Area Diaper Drive brought in thousands of diapers and more than $14,000 in donations. The Sleep in Heavenly Peace event raised $23,000 to go towards bedding/beds for children and the team built 62 beds, $17,000 and more than 800 pairs of shoes came in for Footprints of Michigan, and the station collected more than $21,000 for the Salvation Army.

WSYM-TV (Lansing)

Districts 8-9

WCRZ-FM (Flint)

WSGW-AM/FM (Saginaw)

WSGW-FM/AM (Saginaw)

WSGW-FM/AM, broadcast the 17th Annual Sharing Hope Radiothon to benefit the Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan. The 12-hour broadcast in December raised $58,067! In addition, the station held its Lights Before Christmas at Covenant Health Care. The public was invited to join first responders and radio staff every night in December from 5-9pm to Covenant Kids to wave lights for the children who were in the hospital for the holiday season. The station also held a toy drive for the children in the hospital.

WSAQ-FM (Port Huron)

WSAQ-FM (Port Huron)

Liggett Communication's WSAQ-FM held its annual "Roof Sit" to benefit the St. Clair County Child Abuse and Neglect Council (CAN Council) and raised a record $179,000! WSAQ morning personality Matt Markham camped out for five days on the roof of MiMutual Mortgage in downtown Port Huron. Markham broadcast live, advocating for donations to fund the CAN Council’s programs and services that would help children and families.

Districts 10-13

WDMK-FM (Detroit)

WDMK-FM (Detroit)

Beasley Media Group’s Detroit Praise Network (98.3 FM/99.9 FM / 105.9 HD2) hosted the 2023 National Urban Radio Cares for St. Jude Kid’s Radiothon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thanks to the support of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. The final total raised through the Detroit Praise Network Radiothon was $68,727.

WXYZ-TV (Detroit)

WXYZ-TV (Detroit)

WXYZ, with the help of the Detroit community, stepped up to help improve childhood literacy by providing new, age-appropriate books to kids across metro Detroit. The community along with the employees at WXYZ and the Scripps Howard Fund came together for the If You Give a Child a Book campaign. Generous donations provided almost 20,000 new books for kids!

On July 12, WXYZ raised $100,000.00 in a one-day event for metro Detroit’s largest food rescue organization, Forgotten Harvest. The money raised by the telethon made a direct, positive impact on families in Southeastern Michigan.

WXYZ also partnered with WSYM and WXMI, in partnership with Oakland University, to host a one-hour GOP Governor Primary Debate. Then on October 25, the stations, in partnership with Oakland University, hosted the final gubernatorial debate. Both were broadcast on TV and radio stations commercial free across Michigan.

WOMC-FM (Detroit)

WJBK-TV (Detroit)

WJBK-TV (Detroit)

With one in five children facing hunger in the metro-Detroit community, WJBK-TV FOX 2 teamed up with Gleaners Community Food Bank for four, one-day telethon events in 2022. In total, the four events raised more than $1.3 million. All those donations were matched by sponsors for a grand total of more than $2.6 million. Every dollar goes to feeding hungry families, seniors and children in the community.

WJBK-TV FOX 2 also went to work for the community during Breast Cancer Awareness Month - sponsoring both major breast cancer walks, Race for the Cure and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk – and joined thousands of survivors and supporters for both events. Additionally, the station supported a Dancing for the Survivors event with the Pink Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance to those fighting breast cancer and we once again helped Gilda’s Club with their annual “Bras for a Cause” runway show of survivors.

WDIV-TV (Detroit)

WDMK-FM (Detroit)

WDMK-FM (Detroit)

Beasley Media Group, WDMK-FM's 8th Annual “Sleeping Bags for the Homeless” Radiothon raised $107,250 to benefit Detroit’s homeless and families living in area shelters. The three-hour annual event created by Mildred Gaddis, host of the “Mildred Gaddis Show,” took place on December 11 with support from UAW International, Laborers Local 1191, and The Detroit Community Fund. Proceeds benefited the EMG Foundation. WDMK-FM encouraged community leaders and listeners to donate cash and items, including heavy duty sleeping bags, hats, gloves, and personal hygiene items critically needed during the cold winter months in Michigan. The funds collected will be used to purchase items which will be distributed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January 2023.

Local Michigan Radio & Television Broadcasters

Total Economic Impact in Michigan:

$ billion

Television

$ billion

Radio

$ billion

Total of

thousand jobs

Television

Thousand

Radio

Thousand

Direct Economic Impact in Michigan

Economic Impact on Other Industries in Michigan:

Stimulative Effect on Economy in Michigan:

Direct Economic Impact in Michigan

$1.30 billion
9,116 jobs

Economic Impact on Other Industries in Michigan:

$3.27 billion
22,745 jobs

Stimulative Effect on Economy in Michigan:

$24.32 billion
34,721 jobs

The commercial local broadcast industry, terrestrial radio and television stations, is critically important to the United States economy as a whole and to local economies in particular. Local radio and television’s key role in the dissemination of entertainment and local programming is well established. Its important value to the national economy is often overlooked, and in many ways taken for granted. This analysis quantifies some of the core ways commercial local radio and television stations enhance economic productivity, efficiency, and growth. Only local commercial broadcast radio and television is included in this analysis.

Community Service Report

Michigan Broadcasters Serve Michigan Communities

Districts 1-2

District 3

District 4

Districts 5-6

District 7

Districts 8-9

Districts 10-13

Local Michigan Radio & Television Broadcasters

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