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Tag Archives | volunteer

Transitions

By on April 30, 2013 in Stories

Although our daylight hours are increasing, the final throes of winter are long in Western Alaska.

With temperatures just below freezing, small pellets of ice and snow still fall from the sky. Cooler-than-normal temperatures are slowing the retreat of the ice and snow, the air is brisk, and you can hear the occasional crackling of sea ice. Winter is not quite done with us.

Meanwhile, the KNOM volunteers are hard at work as they finish up their year-long commitment to the radio mission and to the people of Western Alaska. Dayneé Rosales will be staying a second year at KNOM, and Josh, Margaret, Eva, and Lucus will be moving on from the radio station this summer. We are so blessed to work with such committed young professionals.

As we say goodbye to these wonderful young people, we will be welcoming four new volunteers to KNOM. Please pray for all KNOM volunteers, past and present. They are one of the foundations of this critical radio ministry.

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Called to serve

By on April 28, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, May 2013

Margaret in St. Joseph Catholic Church

With your support, the KNOM Radio Mission has been a presence in Western Alaska’s communities for more than four decades – and not always just through the airwaves. We’re so thrilled when our outstanding, full-time volunteers serve our region even beyond KNOM’s studio walls; news reporter Margaret DeMaioribus is one such volunteer.

Margaret, who hails from eastern Pennsylvania, has been a frequent presence in many service contexts within the Nome community: in particular, within St. Joseph Catholic Church. At St. Joseph’s, Margaret is a cantor at weekly Sunday Mass and also teaches religious education classes. In Nome, filling both of these positions can be difficult; willing and able musicians and volunteer teachers are both in short supply.

In addition to her work at St. Joseph’s (from which KNOM broadcasts weekly Sunday Mass to its rural Alaska listeners), Margaret also regularly volunteers at Nome’s local homeless shelter, serving dinners to the needy.

Thank you for making possible the service of all of our wonderful volunteers. Through your generosity, KNOM volunteers continue to endeavor to improve life in rural Alaska – even when the microphone is off.

 

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Cold nights and volunteer travel

By on March 25, 2013 in Stories

The temperatures each night are falling to about -20º F, and the stars sparkle in the dark night sky. As the moon traverses the heavens, the sound of houses crackling and snapping can be heard. As the air gets colder, pilings shift a bit, twisting home supports and floors. The night is alive with this and so many other interesting sounds.

For the last seven to eight months, volunteers have been learning and experiencing life and service to remote listeners tuned in to KNOM. They have grown in so many ways. You would be so proud of their kind demeanor and their great work ethic.

Thanks to free travel from a local airline, volunteer Josh Cunningham recently flew to Bethel, Alaska to cover a music festival celebration. His news reports, feature interviews, and recorded music will help to put the KNOM listeners in the front row of this incredible event.

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Welcome back, Ben!

By on February 28, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, March 2013

Ben outside KNOM studios

A familiar (and smiling) face graced KNOM studios last month: that of volunteer alumnus Ben Matheson, who donated a week of vacation time to help our mission with our coverage of the Norton Sound 450 (described in more detail elsewhere in our March newsletter).

Ben at the construction site for the Tom and Florence Busch Digital StudiosBen’s presence within our studios was invaluable. A two-year veteran of all things KNOM and rural Alaska, Ben brought his zeal for reporting and for the Arctic to our newest generation of radio volunteers. Ben guided them through the details of each race broadcast, and like all KNOM staffers, he was on hand for the myriad other duties that arise during the day.

Thanks so much, Ben!

 

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What KNOM taught

By on February 28, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, March 2013

Matthew deejays

Our feature series on KNOM volunteer alumni continues with Matthew Smith, our public affairs director from 2010 to 2012 who is now continuing his career in news broadcasting with KTVA television in Anchorage. Here’s Matt, in his own words, on what KNOM has already meant to him:

Matthew on the sea iceWhile I’ve only been a KNOM alumnus for a few months, I’m amazed at what the mission has made possible.

I learned about work, community, and myself during my time with KNOM. I learned how to be a reporter, how to find stories and write them in a way that was relevant to listeners in Western Alaska. From interviewing Iditarod mushers to meeting the Russian crew of the Renda as they made the first-ever winter fuel delivery to Nome (pictured at right), my experiences with KNOM made me the reporter I am today.

My time at KNOM also taught me what it means to be part of a small community. As a volunteer EMT, I remember taking blood pressure readings at the community health fair, giving residents of Nome access to blood work and medical exams that were otherwise simply unavailable. I never could have guessed how much being a part of the community in Nome would shape my years of service.

Renda captain Sergey Kopytov, Russian interpreter Michail Shestakov, and Matthew on board the RendaKNOM shaped my spirit, too. The people I met, the stories I heard and told, the connections I formed with roommates, co-workers, and friends: they have enriched my life in uncountable ways. I’m proud – and humbled – to have been a part of the mission, and I can’t wait to see where it goes in the coming years.

As always, we’re so grateful for the people who make our volunteer program possible. As you can see, KNOM continues to change lives: both those of our listeners and of our staff. It’s all thanks to you!

 

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A spotlight on Native music

By on January 31, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, February 2013

Lisa Ellanna Strickling in Studio A

Thanks to your support, the KNOM Radio Mission continues to mean so many different things to so many different people.

For many of our listeners, KNOM is a primary source of music: not just popular music but, also, the traditional music of Alaska Natives. Native culture is fundamental both to our mission and to our daily broadcasts, which is why we’re so thrilled to have Nome resident Lisa Ellanna Strickling as one of our volunteer community DJs.

Every Thursday afternoon, Lisa volunteers an hour of her time to play Native music on KNOM. As we detail in our Thursday program schedule, Lisa presents “a cross-section of songs, both contemporary and traditional, from different Native cultures, and she brings a special focus to the peoples of Alaska, the Arctic, and the North.” Native music holds such an important place in the traditional culture of our region, and we know that – thanks to your support! – Lisa’s show inspires countless listeners each week.

For more on Lisa’s show, explore our Thursday lineup (Lisa’s show is at 1pm!).

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A nod for community service

By on January 30, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, February 2013

Volunteers holding NAB Crystal AwardsGood news: KNOM has been informed that, in a few months, we will receive a very special award from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)!

NAB’s Crystal Award recognizes radio stations that make extraordinary contributions to the communities in their listening area. This community service award is prestigious, and over the years, KNOM has been honored to win five Crystals. The photo at right shows our current volunteers – Josh, Eva, Dayneé, Lucus, and Margaret – holding our Crystal Awards from 1987, 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2012.

In April, KNOM will be given the capstone Crystal Award, the NAB Crystal Heritage Award; we’ll be the fourth radio station ever to receive it. This award recognizes the commitment to community service that you make possible through your generosity and support. Thank you so much! We’ll have more about our 2013 Crystal in a future issue of the Static.

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Reflections from our volunteers

By on January 30, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, February 2013

Lucus in Studio A

KNOM’s full-time volunteers remain hard at work, and thanks to our Volunteer Blog, you can stay up-to-date on all of the ways these outstanding, service-minded individuals are making a difference in Western Alaska. (Among other things, the blog showcases recent photos of our volunteers, a few of which are sampled above and below.)

Josh and Eva on the beachOne recent blog post from volunteer Dayneé Rosales highlighted the spirit of community that informs our mission. An excerpt:

Winter presents unique challenges for life in rural Alaska. Alcohol abuse and suicide are big issues here. It’s hard on a lot of families, but there are also people who want to help.

What I like most about Nome is the amount of courage and love I see in the community… I see how willing people are to share their game, invite you in their homes, and share their stories.

Nome and KNOM are becoming my home… I am forming amazing friendships and learning to appreciate what everyone must do for a city or village to not only survive, but flourish, despite whatever comes our way.

Thanks so much for supporting our volunteer program! Every day, you are truly making a difference.

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What happened when I said “yes” to KNOM

By on January 29, 2013 in Photos, The Nome Static, The Nome Static, 2013 (All), The Nome Static, February 2013

Lynette and Ric outside KNOM studios, circa 1980s

KNOM Radio has touched the lives of so many people, including its volunteers and staff. This month, volunteer-turned-general-manager Ric Schmidt shares the many ways KNOM has changed his life:

In the summer of 1984, I said “yes” to KNOM, and from that day forward, I was swept into an intense, active ministry that serves so many people on so many different levels. KNOM was such a blessing that, nearly 30 years later, I still find myself working here, serving listeners of all ages and backgrounds.

Along the way, I’ve met lifelong friends and fell in love with a fellow volunteer: KNOM’s news director, Lynette Berger. She fell for me, too, and in December 1985, we were married. We were blessed with six children and the opportunity to work together at the same radio ministry where we met. In a life full of ups and downs, we have been given the chance to weave a quilt of service to each other, our children, our church, our community, and Western Alaska. Over the years, we have said goodbye to too many friends and family, but we have also welcomed the births of new members of our KNOM family and honored those who have made significant sacrifices for us and our communities.

Today, the KNOM family makes a difference in the lives of thousands of families every day, whether it is in the studio, in an Alaskan village, or in countless places around the world, with supporters praying for and contributing to our mission. I am honored and privileged to be a part of our incredible radio ministry.

Ric and Lynette's Wedding

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At year’s end, gratitude and service

By on December 23, 2012 in Stories

As 2012 comes to an end, we thank the entire KNOM family for keeping positive programming beaming to thousands of families. Your support affects listeners across 100,000 square miles of snow-covered tundra and the frozen Bering Sea. The KNOM staff and volunteers appreciate the opportunity to serve remote listeners, 24 hours a day!

We wish you could see the young, enthusiastic volunteers recording, editing, and producing inspirational spots, PSAs, news stories, interviews, music, and many other radio programs. These young professionals work tirelessly to make a positive difference throughout Western Alaska. As we have said in the past, KNOM lights the fire of their desire to make a difference in the lives of everyone. We also remember all the past volunteers and staff that helped build up the KNOM radio ministry.

In recognition of all who donate, pray, volunteer, and help KNOM, we offer our gratitude: thank you, and all best wishes for a healthy, happy, and very blessed 2013.

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