Tag: M*A*S*H*

M*A*S*H* may have gone off the air in 1981, but KSAM’s “Make A Smile Happen” event has been going strong for the past 17 years.

This annual event, which solicits gift donations for six local non-profit organizations in time for the holidays, is sponsored by KSAM, and is supported by a host of community businesses and organizations–one of which is the LEAP Ambassadors.

And so it was over a period of 20 hours on December 6 and 7, the LEAP Ambassadors worked dusk till dawn to market the event, accept donations, and sort and sift donations.

The on-air personalities such Bryan Reeder, Tracey Downey, and Glenn Edwards performed their jobs on-site, promoting the events, bringing sponsors on-air, and, of course, playing their normal music sets.

In addition to the on-air personalities, the Ambassadors had the chance to spend time with old friends such as Tim Johnson (KSAM’s GM); some of the sponsors such as Dr. Lane Aiena and Tim Rushing; and some of the beneficiaries. Perhaps most inspiring was seeing the big-hearted generosity of many of the donors. The Heberts and the Rushings, for example, combined to donate 21 bicycles!

Scores of people stopped by, donating food, pet food/supplies, and toys. This year, the big winners were children, with some 1,771 toys donated. But the drive also elicited more than 1,147 canned items, hundreds of pounds of pet supplies, and, perhaps most important, $10,461.85 donations in cash and gift cards.

These donated items go to one of six local non-profit organizations/ government organizations: HISD’s Social Services, Rita B. Huff, SAAFE House, Good Shepherd Mission, Boys & Girls Club of Walker County, and Santa’s Helpers. Also, Vera Bank matched $1,000 in donations, helping us bring the total donations over the $10,000 mark.

Obviously, this helps fill the goal of the event, which is to support local families during the holidays. But beyond its designed benefits, it also helps the LEAP Ambassadors learn more about the community and the non-profits that benefit the community.

Today was the last day of finals, and we were working while also worrying a bit about grades and the stress of the last week of school. But this event has a way of reminding us of our good fortunes: the love of family, many friendships, the opportunities afforded to us by SHSU, and the good fortune we share by living in a generous community.

Kiara Williams and Ashlyn Parker

This past week the LEAP Ambassadors were happy to help–and recruit more help–KSAM radio with their annual “Make A Smile Happen” holiday gift drive for the community. 

This drive encourages the local community to provide food items, pet supplies, cash, or toys, and these, in turn, go to one of six non-profit agencies: Santa’s Helpers, Huntsville Independent School District, Good Shepherd Mission, SAAFE House, YMCA, and the Rita B. Huff Adoption Center. It is timed, of course, with the holidays, in the hopes of being able to provide gifts, food, pet food, or other necessities to those in need, and LEAP was happy to help.

Although the tasks associated with assisting are not difficult, they are time-consuming. The drive spans two days: 6 am-6 pm on Wed, Nov. 30th; and 6 am-3 pm, Thu, Dec. 1, and we try to have four volunteers on hand at any given time. Some of the mornings were cold…

…and we were trying to recruit volunteers during finals, but given the importance of this cause, we were able to find sufficient volunteers and have fun helping others.

Our tasks were manifold:

(1) hold signs marketing the event to the high-traffic area on 11th street; 

(2) help donors load and unload donated items from their vehicles;

(3) organize and count the items;

…and (4) come up with creative marketing tools.

And, of course, other duties as assigned.

We were better at some tasks than others.

Along the way, the students had the wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from new people: Tim Johnson, the station’s General Manager;

…radio personalities such as Bryan Reader, Glenn Edwards, and Carlos Zimmerman; and several sponsors and other volunteers. 

In all, KSAM did a great job getting the word out, and we were happy to help. Our final count is 429 toys, 1,517 cans of food, $6,979.84, and 865 pounds of pet food.

It was a fun and productive two days, and we would like to thank all the volunteers who came out to help and the sponsors who assisted with overhead. And, of course, major thanks to KSAM who orchestrates this event every year!