Lenawee Broadcasting's WLEN-FM Adrian, MI, Allbritton's WCIV-TV Charleston, SC, Belo's KMOV-TV St. Louis, ABC Radio's KGO-AM San Francisco, Schurz's KYTV-TV Springfield, MO, Clear Channel's KFI-AM Los Angeles and Hearst-Argyle's WLKY-TV Louisville are this year's winners of the Service to America Awards, presented by the NAB Educational Foundation with major support from Bonneville International. As previously announced, Sir Elton John will receive the Leadership Award. All of the awards will be presented Monday, June 11th at a black tie gala dinner in Washington, DC.
Here are details of the winning efforts.
This year's Service to America Awards will honor the following local broadcast stations:
Service to Children Awards
These awards spotlight television and radio stations for outstanding programs, campaigns and public service announcements produced for the benefit of children.
Radio
WLEN-FM Adrian, MI
Owner: Lenawee Broadcasting
WLEN serves children of all ages in their community every day through a variety of public service campaigns and programs, including station internships for high school students and the sponsorship of a daily ninety-minute elementary school broadcast.
Television
WCIV Mt. Pleasant, SC
Owner: Allbritton Communications Company
WCIV's commitment to children includes a project entitled "Lowcountry's Promise" that highlights the needs of a failing school. This program generated concern from mentors and volunteers throughout Mt. Pleasant and helped drastically improve the schools in their community.
Partnership Awards
Given to one television and one radio station, this award recognizes broadcasters and their corporate or community partners for exemplary public service.
Television
KMOV St. Louis
Owner: Belo Corp.
Partner: Variety
KMOV's nineteen-year partnership with Variety, the children's charity of St. Louis, has raised nearly $50 million dollars toward services for children with special needs. In 2006, the partnership raised more than $3.4 million with a television project titled "For the Love of the Kids."
Radio
KGO-AM San Francisco
Owner: ABC/Disney
Partner: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
KGO has raised over $14.5 million for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through their Radio Cure-A-Thon. The station involved all staff members during this radioathon and broke a 25-year record last year, raising $1.3 million dollars in 24 hours.
Friend in Need Awards
These awards honor broadcasters for outstanding service in the face of natural disasters and other potentially life-threatening situations.
Television
KYTV Springfield, MO
Owner: Schurz Communications
After the deaths of two Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, KYTV created public service announcements to inform viewers of state laws for approaching emergency vehicles. These announcements have resulted in a state-wide public education effort that has informed citizens and saved lives.
Radio
KFI-AM Burbank, CA
Owner: Clear Channel Radio
During the Esperanza Fire, one of the worst fires in the history of Southern California, KFI-AM provided round-the-clock-local news coverage and updates. After the deaths of five U.S. Forest Service firefighters the station held a fundraiser and raised more than $75,000 in aid to assist their families.
Service to America Television Award
This award recognizes a television station for the totality of its efforts and its commitment to excellence in serving its community.
WLKY Louisville
Owner: Hearst-Argyle
WLKY demonstrates its commitment to Louisville through their support and involvement in over twenty causes and activities. From promoting health awareness to supporting children's programs such as Wednesday's Child, WLKY's wide range of pledges enriches the community.
Leadership Award
This year's Leadership Award winner is legendary rock superstar Sir Elton John, for his extraordinary humanitarian efforts in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
