A four-day fundraiser broadcast over the airwaves of Prince Edward County has netted the local community radio station in excess of $70,000.

99.3 County FM’s sixth annual Radiothon greatly eclipsed its target for 2021, raising  $70,505 in four days for the Prince Edward County not-for-profit community radio station. The station, which relies on donations and grants for one third of its operating budget, set out to raise a minimum of $53,000.

Instant Rivalry aka Megan and Caleb Hutton. (Robbie Garden Photography)

“Thanks to our wonderful donors, Radiothon 2021 sponsors, our matching hour sponsors, and to all the businesses & not for profit groups who helped us reach our goal between June 3-6, 2021,” stated County FM Board Chair Jim J.J. Johnston. “And special thanks to the homegrown musicians for generously donating their talents to provide 4 days of stellar entertainment and to our Honourary Chair John C. Hopper for his tremendous leadership.”

Craig Mills, General Manager of County FM noted the response from residents and businesses was deeply appreciated by all of our volunteers.

“In a way we view the response as validation of all the hard work we have done during the past year during the pandemic.  In the end we had 111 volunteers involved with the production including the 45 musicians who generously donated their time,” Mills said “Two new concepts this year included a kick-off dance party with Dari & Mel of DarkSpark Studios; and the introduction of ‘Matching Hours,’ in which seventeen businesses and individuals stepped up to match funds during set hours, and made a significant difference in encouraging listeners to donate.”

The County FM Radiothon musical line-up included a who’s who of the Prince Edward County Music scene. Artists donating their time and talent to the cause included Justin Rutledge, Instant Rivalry, Miss Emily, Cue The Funk, Norris and Jones, Foster Crenna, Tony Forbes, The Wakami Wailers, Greg Hinde & Friends, Mike Farrell, Tom Leighton, Lenni Stewart, Peter Rea, Bill Wood, Telegraph Narrows, Bill McBurney, Jamie Pounder, Jamie Stever, Lisa Bozikovic, KASHKA, Danielle Edwards, Grace Bongard, D’ari Lisle and Mel Larkin, Borgin and Benni, Gavin Massey, Astrid Young, Jordan Thomas of Moon Sugar, Bryan Persaud, Andy Forgie, Rita di Ghent, Oakridge Avenue, Jenica Rayne, Seventh Town, Siobhan Bodrug, Wellington Lambert, Shawn ‘Deepwater’ Dore, JT Wisteard, Peter Solmes, Patrick Headley, Suzanne Pasternak, Dan Dayton, Chuck Dailey, Pat Larkin & surprise guests, The Kitchen Family, Aaron Nash and Joseph Spinosa, The Frere Brothers.

On-Air Production Lead Pat Larkin  was effusive in his praise to the musical acts who support the station that supports them.

“I listened to and touched every interview or sound that you heard throughout the Radiothon and can tell you we have a wonderfully diverse, open, loving, caring community when it comes to music or anything else. We are indebted to all involved,” Larkin said.

“As a member of the musical community and the live music coordinator for Radiothon, I am tasked with organizing musicians. This year was no exception, and musicians jumped at the opportunity to aid 99.3 County FM. Their relationship with the radio station grows every year as the station becomes a useful tool to local artists to sustain a viable career through air play and event promotion,” Megan Hutton, Radiothon 2021 Talent Director & Broadcast Assistant added.

Mills wished to send thank to the official Radiothon 2021 sponsors: Dunrose Distribution, Edward Jones, Huff Estates Winery, JJIMS Leadership and Life Coaching and Management Solutions, Lehigh Cement LLC, Lockyers County Gardeners, Picton Home Hardware Building Centre, Prinzen Ford, Shannon Warr-Hunter and Tasos Nicolaou Realtors, and Wilkinson & Co. LLP  as well as Matching Donor Hour sponsors Aqwa Building Solutions, Bill & Sharon Roberts, Craig Elliot, Dave MacKay & Noreen Vader, David Clegg of Caddy Shack Mini Golf, Foodland Picton, Greg Sobara, JJIMS Leadership and Life Coaching and Management Solutions, John Gleeson, John Hopper, Lanny Huff, Neil Burgess Law Office, PermaLock Roofing, Prinzen Ford, Rachel MacDonald & Mark Franks from Chestnut Park Realty, Stephanie Sokolowski of The County Real Estate Company, Stormy’s Car Sales, and Wellings of Picton.

Donations are still being accepted and can be mailed to the station on Cold Storage Road or submitted online at www.993countyfm.ca