This fall, WYSU is celebrating its annual fall pledge drive by inviting the community to Be Our Neighbor—because public radio is built on community.
For more than 55 years, WYSU has become its own kind of neighborhood—filled with familiar voices, shared stories, culture, music, ideas, and conversation. But a community like this doesn’t happen on its own. Like any strong neighborhood, WYSU's is made up of many different neighbors: the listeners who tune in every day, the local business and organizations that sponsor programming, and the community partners who help build connections across our airwaves. And at the heart of that neighborhood are members, like you, who help make public radio accessible for every house on the block.
To bring that message to life, WYSU is inviting listeners to help build Mo Ray’s Neighborhood—a growing, handmade miniature neighborhood that will take shape throughout the drive.
Throughout the pledge drive, listeners can pick up a neighborhood block from one of WYSU’s participating community partners, decorate it to represent their home or a favorite place in the community, and return it to the station to become part of Mo Ray’s Neighborhood.
Blocks are available at participating community partners throughout the area, including Westide Bowl, Birdfish Brewing Company, Modern Methods, Branch Street, Trek Coffee, and Culture House. Listeners can drop their block off at the station or mail it to:
WYSU, ATTN: Anne Vallas
1 Tressel Way
Youngstown, OH 44555
Listeners who submit a decorated block can also enter a community-wide contest, where their entry will be shared on WYSU’s website for the community to vote on their favorite house on the block. The submission with the most votes will be the winner of the Tony Armeni Cohasset Express Train Set!
As the neighborhood takes shape, WYSU will also be highlighting the people and organizations that make up the various and many villagers it takes to keep a public radio station alive.
Throughout the pledge drive, WYSU will also feature special programming, local voices, and opportunities for listener support to be amplified through matching challenges from generous donors and local foundations.
Last fall's pledge drive was WYSU's most successful pledge drive to date—a reminder of just how deeply WYSU is valued by our neighbors. But keeping WYSU strong isn't accomplished through just one drive—it takes the continued support of people who believe this station matters and want to see it for years to come. Federal funding has now run its course and WYSU is knocking door-to-door for support.
Together, these efforts ensure that WYSU can continue to bring dedicated neighbors the programming they value and the community they want. Click the button below to make your gift of support today.
