WBFO Breaks Fund-Raising Records with Spring Drive

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by the University at Buffalo, recently completed its most successful spring membership drive, raising more than $215,000.

Approximately 1,500 telephone and Web-site-generated pledges from listeners in Western New York and Southern Ontario were recorded during the eight-day, spring on-air campaign.

More than 800 new members joined the station, and nearly 700 existing members pledged $50,000 in challenge grants to encourage new and lapsed members to call in a donation.

Carole Smith Petro, associate vice president and general manager, said "Everyone at the station is delighted by the positive response from the Western New York and Southern Tier communities. WBFO relies on listener support. Without it, we would not be able to continue to provide first-rate news and music programs."

WBFO's membership now totals 7,500. Nearly 100,000 listeners in Western New York and Southern Ontario tune in to WBFO each week.

A major public service of the University at Buffalo, WBFO has been broadcasting from UB's South (Main Street) Campus for 44 years, and has served Jamestown and Olean for the past nine years.

In addition to the national acclaim the station has received for its jazz programming over the years, WBFO is the only radio news department in Buffalo to earn Associated Press awards in each of the past six years. In 2001, the station was awarded a national PRNDI Award from Public Radio News Directors, Inc. WBFO also is home to the longest running blues program in Western New York and Southern Ontario. Terry Gross (B.A. '72, Ed.M. '75), host of National Public Radio's "Fresh Air," began her distinguished career at WBFO, as did Ira Flatow (B.S. '71), host of NPR's award-winning "Talk of the Nation: Science Friday" program.

For more information about WBFO, visit the station's Web-site at http://www.wfbo.org .