Wrangell Sentinel -

By GREG KNIGHT

Sentinel writer

With the coming of colder weather each year, one thing is as regular as the rain in Wrangell – the KSTK Fall Pledge Drive.

The drive, which began Oct. 21 and runs through this weekend is seeking to raise $16,500 to continue station operations in the borough and pay for expenses related to programming and delivery of on-air content.

Peter Helgeson, the station’s General Manager, believes Wrangellites support KSTK because of the service it provides to the community.

“One of the most important reasons for the drive is to raise the money we use for content people hear on the station,” Helgeson said. “Another reason is that it gives an indication to the Corporation For Public Broadcasting and Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission on how important the station is to the community.”

According to Helgeson, KSTK generates about $118,000 in local revenue annually from a variety of station events, the pledge drives and its underwriting program.  About 30 percent of that total is from pledge drives.

And programming for public radio doesn’t come cheap.

For instance, syndicated shows like “A Prairie Home Companion” cost around $4,000, while access to the Alaska Public Radio Network runs approximately $12,000 with Associated Press wire costs equaling nearly $6,000.

Helgeson also said he was happy to see members of the community join the staff and volunteers in answering the phones or helping out at the station during the final few days of the drive.

“The community has been very supportive of KSTK for 35 years and we’re always very heartened when the drive is over and we’ve reached that goal thanks to their help,” Helgeson added.