Music plays in the background. An assortment of goodies lies on the table for the volunteers to nibble on during shifts. This can mean only one thing: WMPG is holding one of its two begathons. For a week in mid-October and mid-April, DJ’s and volunteers assemble and appeal to the listening community to donate money.
WMPG serves the USM and Greater Portland Community, Maine and the even the entire nation through the World Wide Web. As a community radio station, it thrives on listener support.
The station depends on its on-air fundraiser for a quarter of its annual operating budget as well as portions coming from the student activity fee; underwriting and grants, said Tom Flynn, development director at WMPG.
Valerie Cartonio was once a student at USM. She worked at WMPG, then located on the Gorham campus. Ten years later, she continues to be a part of the WMPG community. She has her own show, “Echoes in the Wind,” and volunteers many hours at the station. Cartonio said her children volunteer at the station during the begathon weeks and even their dog pledges.
“It [the begathon] becomes smoother every year,” she said. “It’s a great big party.”
During the begathon week the station continues to air weekly music programs, but two minutes out of every fifteen-minute period the disc jockeys ask listeners to pledge, said Flynn.
There are many community members and work-study students who take part in the begathon festivities at the radio station. Each one takes a shift of a few hours and is fed by donations from local restaurants.
“This is my fourth begathon,” said Nick Carter, a junior media studies major. “They are always fun and exciting, it’s a great way to get the community involved.”
It is also an opportunity for community members and avid listeners to stop by and pledge.
Mindy Cairn, host of the show “Local Motives,” has been a WMPG DJ for 15 years.
“This is my radio station; I take it seriously to help out.”
Flynn is optimistic that WMPG’s goal of $25,000 will be met.
“This creates the long-term health of the station, improve facilities and keep up with the technology.”