While Capistrano looks forward to the return of the sparrows as a sign of spring, USM has the WMPG Spring Begathon. From April 4 to the 10, WMPG’s sandwich board sign sat in the center of Bedford Street letting the community know it was time to show financial support.
According to Tom Flynn, WMPG’s development director, the station exceeded its $25,000 goal. “As of [April 14], we were just under $27,000,” said Flynn. “It started slower than normal and at the end of Monday we were a little concerned. We were around $1,500 to $1,800 down.”
Despite his concerns, Flynn reacted with surprise at the idea of not making their goal, even though the Maine Public Broadcasting Network were forced to extend their campaign by a few days. “It’s been, like, three years since we didn’t make a goal,” said Flynn.
Aside from monetary donations from listeners, about 13 local businesses donate food and coffee to support the DJs and staff at the station. According to Flynn, by Thursday, everybody at WMPG is surviving because of the coffee.
Excepting the slow start, the event went well. “We’ve just gotten better at Begathon,” said Flynn. “There were pleasantly fewer surprises things ran a lot smoother.”
This year WMPG’s most popular reward for donating was a t-shirt commemorating Matt Little, host of the “Get Hot or Go Home,” rockabilly radio show on Saturday afternoons. Matt was recently voted Best DJ in Portland by a Portland Phoenix readers poll. “One of our DJs, Jeff Heller, designed these t-shirts,” said Flynn. “He modeled it after a Delltones record label.”
WMPG is a commercial free station supported by grants, the Student Activity Fee and listener donation.