thanksgiving

96.5 Live Free Country and Manchester Media Group Announce Record-Breaking “Tons of Turkeys” Event

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MANCHESTER, NH – In a remarkable show of community spirit, 96-5 Live Free Country, Hannaford Supermarkets, and the Manchester Media Group successfully hosted their annual “Tons of Turkeys” event on Saturday, November 23rd, benefiting the New Hampshire Food Bank. This year, the six participating Hannaford locations collected an astounding 18 tons of turkeys, surpassing last year’s total by a significant margin.

Promotions and Events Director Laura Stelchook, who also serves as the morning host for Live Free Country, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support from Southern New Hampshire residents. “Year after year, it is amazing to watch how we all find a way to make it out, to help our neighbors in need. We even had one family from Londonderry donate $1,000 worth of turkeys,” Stelchook said.

The event took place concurrently at multiple Hannaford locations in Manchester, Goffstown, and Bedford, New Hampshire, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It exemplifies the Manchester Media Group’s ongoing commitment to partnering with local businesses and community members to address food insecurity in the region.

Market President Lucy Lange commented on the event’s success, stating, “This year’s 96.5 Live Free Country Tons of Turkeys event highlights our community’s incredible generosity. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need support, especially during the holiday season.”

96.5 Live Free Country Program Director Michael Czarnecki added, “I could not be prouder of our team and the Southern New Hampshire community. The engagement of our listeners to help is incredible, and this event truly reflects the spirit of giving”.

The Manchester Media Group extends heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, donors, and local businesses who made this year’s Tons of Turkeys event a resounding success. Together, we are helping to ensure families in need can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal this season.

 

 

Rock 102 Raises Over $234,000 in Donations at 30th Annual “Mayflower Marathon” Benefitting Open Pantry of Springfield, MA

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SPRINGFIELD, MA, NOVEMBER 29, 2023 – For the 30th consecutive year, Rock 102 hosted their annual Mayflower Marathon food drive to benefit Springfield’s Open Pantry. This year, the tradition returned to MGM Springfield for the three days leading up to Thanksgiving. Bax & Nagle broadcast for 52 hours while collecting non-perishable food donations for the Open Pantry of Springfield. As the Open Pantry continues to see growing demand for their services, the need for donations of non-perishable food items is constant.

The outpouring of support from local residents and businesses was unprecedented this year and helped to fill more than five trailers and raise over $224,000 in food and cash donations at MGM Springfield.

Interview guests for this year’s Mayflower Marathon included famed television producer Mike Scully, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Trevor Rabin from the legendary rock band YES, comedians Tom Cotter & Kerri Louise, guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa & many more!

Additionally, the Springfield Thunderbirds hosted their second annual Mayflower Marathon Night on
Wednesday, November 22, 2023. They raffled off custom Bax & Nagle Thunderbirds jerseys and donated
profits from the 50/50 raffle. The drawings were able to bring in an additional $10,000 for the Open Pantry bringing our total over $234,000!

Annual ‘Day of Thanks’ at WSNY Raises $113,847

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COLUMBUS, OH – WSNY, Sunny 95’s “Day of Thanks” raised $113,847 on Friday, November 17th that will benefit our local Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the On Our Sleeves Movement for
kid’s mental health! This is all listener and sponsor driven!
WSNY listeners & sponsors have raised over $8million over 37 years of hosting a radiothon
annually. This year, not only did we want to continue our fundraising tradition, we wanted to
also raise much-needed awareness around the stigma of kids’ mental health topics – because
kids don’t wear their thoughts on their sleeves. To do so, in conjunction with our presenting
sponsor Tim Hortons, we introduced a yearlong campaign that highlighted monthly
conversation starters on different mental-health challenges facing families today. The goal is to
break stigmas, understand mental health needs, and teach skills to boost mental health &
wellness.
The radiothon was hosted by “Sunny This Morning’s” Stacy McKay, Dino Tripodis, Greg
Hansberry, & Clark Donley, plus PM Driver Miss Lisa. The hosts welcomed an incredible line-up
of patient families and guest interviews including Nina Day, wife of The Ohio State University
football coach, Ryan Day! The Days have adopted the On Our Sleeves movement and been
high-profile voices for the campaign since its inception in 2018.