Seeing the GOOD around us during Treasures for Troops

We at WION  had an excellent kickoff to "Treasures for Troops, Year #7" on Monday November 2nd.   With a donation from Reurink Roofing & Siding Sales of a sizable amount, and people who came in to the Village Market in Muir because of hearing us.  It was a nice start. 

It's important to remember that never in most of our lives has the world changed so quickly as it has since last year's "Treasures" and we're all so very tired of adjusting to governmental "orders" (however temporary) and to our daily lives' activities being squelched.  Our broadcast from Muir was the first "out of studio" one in all of this year!  Yet, among all of that, at least 5 or 6 grocery cart's full of things were collected and brought to the Moose Lodge in Ionia for sorting, plus MANY individual monetary donations were made to the Blue Star Mothers for this yearly pack of items to go overseas. 

In a year where we can't even accept volunteer help for sorting and boxing, I can tell you that just being around the giving today, and the good vibes from each and every donor helped lift my spirits.  Like you, I find it harder to locate the normal day to day JOY we used to take so much for granted, but doing good for others is definitely a spirit-lifting experience.

All WION does is spread ideas via word of mouth, amplified by electrons, waves, and devices... but...those receiving  this "help others" message by radio each respond in their own ways to the need we're addressing this week in "Treasures." 

 Meanwhile, the stories we hear from our dropoff locations lift everyone's spirits. We heard Monday morning of two young men who spent their own money to contribute in Lowell, both are middle school aged...but they're GIVING.  Isn't that refreshing?  They're wanting to help others.  During our kickoff broadcast we were brought cards and a donation from a family in which one business they own has been severely affected by the state's rules and regulations, but they still continue to GIVE.  We were hosted at the Village market in Muir, by new owners who preserved and invested in a LOCAL business in a small town, which is something to celebrate in itself. 

I'm always tired at the end of each day during "Treasures" but, I remember singer Harry Chapin's description of "Good Tired" vs. Bad Tired...and GOOD tired by his description was when you finish a day with lots of YOU in it and you sleep well because of that.  You've had a day which was not wasted fighting other's battles and living other's lives. (probably not-so-good paraphrasing, by the way...you can look it up on the web)....Today, there was an incredible effort taking place which focused on helping those we may never meet. There was plenty of me, plenty of you, and of others who care in the day.  The recipients who will open a box from Treasures For Troops will, no doubt, have a sense of wonder that SOMEONE in the world whom they don't even know cared for them..and...I think that's something EVERYONE helping with this cause should be proud of, whether you write ONE personal note to put in a box, give ONE dollar, or thousands. You're touching the lives of  hard working people who are homesick, and want to be in places they're not....but for a moment....they're closer to home.

WION, WGLM, WRWW, (The Lowell Area School's Student Station) and our friends at  WRDN (which we call our "Sister 1430" In Durand, Wisconsin) who are collecting addresses for boxes and monetary donations along with our sponsor, Young Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and our broadcast partner locations ALL Say, "Thank you"...for being part of something that helps others... and showing that even during these odd times, we can, indeed, work together for GOOD. 

We hope being part of "Treasures for Troops"  lifts your spirits, too.

The Days are Trying Sometimes, yet Remarkable.

(My writing is for my relaxing and sharing of things that I think are worthy of semi-organized sentences. I'm no professional writer..but it's recreational  to me...so, if you're reading this, know It's more of a stream of my thoughts than an organized "column" of any kind. ) 

Some days are remarkable while still very trying.

This situation we all share right now has so many effects on all of us, there's no way to count them all. 

As a business owner, and as a radio station owner, I share the fear of other business owners,  but we carry on, because we must.  We've seen a slight drop in advertising from businesses hardest hit, but many of our familiar supporters are still here on the air, with new messages of encouragement, reassurance, and the sharing of thoughts, or...just to remind you they are STILL HERE, waiting for the joyous day of reopening. We, at WION are so grateful for all of our advertisers and supporters. It's our advertisers' dollars that keep the transmitter on, the lights bright, and our streaming coming to you on any device anywhere.

So, on a day where this virus scare temporarily cost us some major income another miracle occurred, proving to me, as Morning Host and Manager that I'm here...for the right reasons. 

I didn't hear the phone call, but Garry Osborn was on the air.  The call was to our 800 number, which can ring into the studio.  It went to voicemail, which showed up quickly in my e-mail.  A senior-citizen lady, on oxygen called WION, worried because she was in need of food and didn't know where to turn.  "2-1-1" can help people but I could tell of the immediate need by the sound of her voice on the recording.

One call later, to a local church well known for it's food pantry outreach, I was assured by a friendly voice on the other end of the phone that this lady would be called right away, and the comforting words, "These are the people we need to serve!"  Can you imagine just the chance that someone would:  a) be a senior in need.  b) Think to call a radio statoin. c) reach a station with a real staff, not a corporate, satellite-delivered jukebox, d) ask for help leaving a number for a callback HOPING someone got the message?  Well, it DID happen. The connection was made.

Granted, this was not an on air issue. But it was a "trust" issue. The likelihood is that this lady heard Garry mention the number, she called it, pressed his extension for the afternoon show which also cc'd to me, and hoped for a call back.  Think of it.  The TRUST, today, in local media to help an individual.  She didn't call anyone else, she called a radio station because we're supposed to be "in touch" with community.  In a way, it was a high compliment.

With the issue in the hands of the people who are GREAT at what they do, which is feeding people regularly from a pantry, I felt as if I needed to be at WION as owner, etc...etc...insert job here.  It felt right  to be the caretaker of our license today, and to know something good came of our mere existence.   It felt like a "meant to be."  I believe it was, and it helps take away some of my worry during these times of the essential existence of radio, and the concern over losing the life-giving revenue of advertising  to this radio station.  That concern seems small compared to the need which was phoned in to us today.  My concern for WION as a business was strengthened by the fact we were here to fill a need and have been for over 15 years! 

We are fine. We WILL be fine with the support of our local community's businesses, some of which are not even open right now....and in the bigger picture, you can now see...Advertisers support WION, which is here to bring you music, information, news, and more.  Trust develops from that consistency and reputation, and that shows to advertisers that people need WION, and...it also shows commitment by this station to our community, which translates back into advertisers wanting to be a part of our programming.

Even with some losses today, in the "win" column was trust in a local radio station to help just one person.  Just one! 

We hope that you also are another "one" who will trust us with your time...for information, entertainment, and the marketing of your business to the mutual benefit of our community, through the good times, and the rough ones, too.

-Jim Carlyle