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Volume 54, Issue 3 | Fall 2025
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| Together for the Long RunOctober is Support WYSU Month
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WYSU and Listeners Are Together for the Long Run
This October, WYSU is hitting the ground running with its annual fall pledge drive.
This year, the theme is Together for the Long Run: because supporting public radio isn’t a sprint–it’s a marathon.
“The WYSU staff has always done whatever it takes to make the case for essential listener support during every fund drive, often doing crazy stuff. Over the years, I have occasionally done a difficult challenge for myself to challenge listeners to do something easy, but really important, for WYSU–donate,” says Director Gary Sexton
After almost 36 years at WYSU, Gary Sexton is preparing to retire at the end of the year. Before he does, he will be lacing up for one last fund drive to encourage listener support.
On October 11th-12th, Gary will be competing in the Hainesport Endurance Run, a 100-mile ultramarathon, where contestants must complete 101 loops around the scenic Hainesport Township Park in New Jersey.
“After doing 50, 65, and 88.5 mile fund drive runs, I am attempting to do 100 miles this year. It will likely take me between 24 and 30 hours of mostly non-stop running,” Sexton explains.
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As part of this promotion, Cardboard Gary–a 6-feet-tall-Gary-Sexton-cardboard-cutout—will be on the move around the community for a Flat Stanley-esque adventure, where he will be popping up at different businesses, organizations, and local spots throughout the month for listeners to stop to see, take a photo with, and share to help bolster community awareness and collaboration.
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Leading up to the end of month, Gary and Assistant Director Jenny Tullis will be inviting a series of community figures to share and discuss classical music during their standard programming.
Between October 29th-31st, Gary and Jenny will also be on-air between 7AM-3PM for collaborative live fund drive, featuring a discussion with Today from the Ohio News Room's Managing Editor, Clare Roth.
“Our on-air membership drives are the foundation of WYSU’s overall development efforts. Reaching our goal is important. More than ever, we depend upon member support to provide the bulk of funds for the high-quality radio programs that are important to all of us,” Sexton explains.
Additionally, Associate Director Jacob Brandenstein and Coordinator Anne Vallas will be live between 3PM-6PM each day, where they will be joined by various community artists and figures.
“After the recent unprecedented cuts to federal funding and the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, we are really trying to emphasize the essential nature of community collaboration and support, which has always been the backbone of the stations—but will now be its lifeblood, as well. We wanted this pledge drive to reflect that,” Vallas notes.
Throughout the month, listeners will hear personal testimonials from community members, such as David Labra from the Labra Bros, Karen Schubert from LitYoungstown, and Sarah Lowery from the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley.
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The station also added new premiums to encourage listener support:
$60 donation: A new The Jazz Sofa mug for Rick Popovich fans.
$200 donation: Two tickets to a private WYSU Vinyl Night hosted at Cedars: West End, where attendees can bring their own vinyl and enjoy a night of music, food, and Youngstown community.
$500 donation: A chance for listeners to connect with their favorite WYSU hosts and staff, including “Walk, Run, or Hike with Gary,” “Conversation, Coffee, and Classical Music with Jenny Tullis,” and the “WYSU Experience with Jacob Brandenstein and Anne Vallas.”
Listeners—who donate or not—also have a chance to win a custom Tony Armeni birdbath.
For now, stay tuned and consider donating a specific pledge amount per mile to support Gary, WYSU, and the future of public radio.
“As I am approaching 70 years old, I have my concerns about making the 30-hour cut off for this race, but I am going to do my best, which is all we ask of those who believe public radio is important to them and to the community. With my retirement coming up at the end of December, this will be my last run for WYSU, so please join me as we are Together for the Long Run” Sexton concludes.
Together, we can keep the pace and keep public radio alive. Click the button below to make your gift of support today.
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WYSU is Hiring for Director of BroadcastingWYSU has an opening for Director of Broadcasting. This position is responsible for the implementation and administration of all radio station activities, programs, and services. This position supervises all staff as they engage in programming, radio operations, production, engineering, development, marketing, events, educational services and general office administration.
This position has been reopened with a relaxation of the minimum qualifications, so if you were interested in the position but did not meet the minimum qualifications, consider looking again.
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Thank you for listening, and for your ongoing support of Local Public Radio. CLICK HERE to renew your membership, or make an additional gift to the station.
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