The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation has announced the winners of the 2016 Celebration of Service to America Awards. The awards recognize outstanding community service and the winners will be honored at a dinner in Washington, D.C., June 21. Cox Radio Miami won the award for individual campaigns, projects or programs, and CBS Radio in Southfield, MI, won the Service to Children award.
Through PSAs, events, and “food-raisers,” Cox Radio Group Miami helped feed their community with year-round outreach. By engaging listeners to replenish food shelves in local neighborhoods where the demand is high, Cox fed an estimated 1,500-2,000 people weekly. Conducted in partnership with the Wayne Barton Foundation and Broward County Sheriff’s office, Cox’s food drive campaign collected more than 100,000 pounds each weekend to support retirees and fixed-income families. In addition, Cox’s annual Turkey Drive gave away 3,100 turkeys, helping Cox reach an estimated 5.2 million pounds of food collected and distributed last year alone.
Since 2012, CBS Radio WXYT in Southfield, Michigan’s Student Heart Check program has helped raise money and awareness for student athletes at risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – an acute life-threatening heart condition. The vital program saves lives every year, conducting quarterly student heart screenings at local high schools where physicians participate for free and students from across the state are invited to attend. In 2015, more than 1,600 students received screenings, resulting in 234 students being advised to stop playing sports immediately. Two students were diagnosed with the condition. Produced in partnership with Beaumont Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, WXYT led and supported the program with multiple public service announcements, valued at $1.1 million. The informative PSAs requested $10 donations from listeners to help the program reach its ultimate goal of purchasing a mobile cardiac unit. In 2015, the campaign raised a respectable $30,000 in donations and additional sponsor outreach.
“Local broadcasters are an essential part of the fabric of their communities,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “The NAB Education Foundation proudly salutes the recipients of this years’ Service to America Awards for their unwavering commitment to making a positive local impact.”
