KDUR fall fundraiser kicks off October 12

KDUR starts a weeklong Fall Membership Drive on October 12, kicking things off with the always entertaining Guest DJ Day. This will be the 14th year a group of guest DJs from a local industry will go head-to-head in a competition of who can raise the most money for KDUR. Each DJ gets an hour to play their choice of music, all while encouraging listeners to call in with their pledges to the station.

In years passed, guest DJs have been chefs, lawyers, Fort Lewis College alumni and faculty, musicians, and hair stylists. This year’s group will be from the cannabis industry.

“The DJs have the opportunity to talk about their business, but we also empower them to raise money for KDUR,” says Rachel Frederico, development director for KDUR. “Whoever raises the most holds onto the coveted Brieger trophy, an art piece from local metal artist Mike Brieger, for the year.”

The Fall Membership Drive raises money to keep up with daily operations, but will also ensure KDUR can continue to provide unique training and learning experiences for Fort Lewis College students and community members. Over the years, thousands of FLC students and community members have volunteered at the station in a number of capacities, such as DJs, program hosts, music directors, managers, and event organizers and promoters.

“Our goal this fall is $20,000,” says Frederico. “We’re really lucky in that we get a lot of support from the community and college.”

Each fall fundraiser has a creative theme. This year’s theme “KDUR: The Original Mixtape” recalls a time when tapes were a popular media and how radio was the original mashup of favorite tracks. 

“With so many services and stations now trying to be everyone’s soundtrack, we wanted to throw it back to when radio did it first, and was the original mixtape,” says Frederico.

KDUR encourages sustaining memberships, allowing members to give smaller dollar amounts each month, instead of an annual gift that can be harder to finance in one donation. Pledgers at certain levels can get limited-edition items with the theme’s cassette tape design. Donors who pledge $30 can receive a fanny pack, tote, or CD; and donors who give $55 or more get a t-shirt, hat, or water bottle.

“Fanny packs are coming back. Not only are they functional, but they’re coming back into fashion as well,” says Frederico. “We thought that would be a fun piece of KDUR flair.”

For almost 45 years, KDUR has been Durango’s college and community radio station--a source of diverse music, community information and announcements, and world news. KDUR is partially funded by the support of community members and Fort Lewis College faculty, staff, and students.

For more information on the Fall Membership Drive visit www.kdur.org. Tune in to KDUR on FM 91.9 and 93.9 from October 12 – 19 and call 970-247-7262 to donate.