WCPE is 100% listener-supported community radio. It's not a coincidence that there is a "U" in the word "Unity" -- and in "CommUnity" radio -- the "U" takes the central position. You are central to WCPE. Unlike almost every other public station, we are totally listener supported.

Jason, now in Orange County, California: "As a Chapel Hill native, I grew up with the best classical station I have ever listened to ... and now as I have entered the corporate world in CA, I can still enjoy the best classical music via the internet ... Keep up the good work WCPE!"

Izza in Manila, Philippines: "I love classical music! In our country, there's only one station that I know of that plays classical music. I am so thankful that WCPE is available on the internet. Now I can listen to it anytime of the day. I am also glued to all the information about the music you play. Keep it up!"

From Cary: "Classical music has been part of my life for many years. I used to travel between New York and Louisiana listening to classical music all the way, if it was available. WCPE would fade out; others would take over. Louisiana came on strong for a number of years, but slowly changed to country, along with all the other stations. WCPE has added power over the years and continued to stay classical, much to my relief. You definitely have the right idea, so keep up the good work, and continue the classical tradition forever! Very truly yours, Robert."

Your Personal Support is vital to WCPE and our Great Classical Music. YOU keep WCPE on the air 24 hours a day across America!

The new year brought a new target for donations -- $2.25 million (not counting our WCPE transmitting tower maintenance and repair work which I talked about in the December newsletter).

From Prippy: "Dear WCPE and Deborah - Am sending "extra" to help with the tower. We absolutely cannot be without WCPE! My Saint Bernard and I love your station and it is our only radio ever turned on. My God continue to bless you and give you strength and energy for this gift you give to so many."

So far, total gifts of $1,000,000 have been received this year, so ... $1,250,000 is needed for the rest of the year's operating costs. We must raise this important amount before 12/31.

Our Fundraising Plan to Meet that Critical Goal:

It would be wonderful if we could obtain this amount all at once in the Fall Fundraiser. If not, then in December we'll do what's prudent to take us to the final total for the calendar year. But for now, let's talk about the Fall Fund Drive:

All of us here at The Classical Station are hoping to have -- the most successful -- the most fun -- the most interesting -- and the shortest -- WCPE "fun" drive ever!

We're going to Need Some Very Good Forward Momentum to do this!

You can help us achieve that Forward Momentum! To start building that momentum, there are several things you can do to help! First, you may have some extra WCPE envelopes around, or you can address some using the envelope enclosed as your template. Give them to your friends who like listening to our Great Classical Music and tell them why you give, too!

Second, September is our Silent Pledge Month. We're asking you to do your best to show your support in advance, so the fund drive can run smoothly during the next month. We want you to help build up that "forward financial momentum" as much as possible.

Third, we're having an Open House on Saturday, October 15th, in the early afternoon. You are invited to come and meet everyone (we'll have driving directions on the website; our 1,200 foot tall tower helps, too!) and do something special: That special Saturday may very well be the start of the drive. If you like, you can go on the radio (recorded if you wish) and tell why you support WCPE and The Classical Station. Your words will mean so much more than any of mine!

And Fourth, please do your best to make a special, and generous, Silent Pledge!

The Idea Behind a Silent Pledge is Simple.

You make your pledge now, so we don't need additional "talk" pledge breaks later next month; in other words, mail and web pledges take the place of many over-the-air pledge breaks. Thus, "silent" pledges. Thus you help us create the shortest "fun" drive ever!

Your advance pledge through the mail or on the Internet counts toward the goal during the "fun" drive and adds to the total. Moreover, your early pledge gives us a head start now which helps gain and maintain the pace and momentum that a successful new Member drive requires.

And it takes days off the duration of the drive!

We add in a portion of your Silent Pledge each day as the drive progresses, when your help does the most good. You'll help us build and keep our momentum. Now, we have the assurance of your pledge in advance, so we can "afford" to play more music, take fewer pledge breaks, and ultimately cut several days from the drive!

Very importantly, we can concentrate our efforts on speaking to our new listeners -- targeting our appeal and effectiveness directly to our future first time contributors -- and not needing extra pledge breaks to ask you for a renewal donation.

What is So Important about a Membership Drive in the First Place?

Membership drives are important. It takes a certain amount of time to explain to our newest listeners how our listener-supported community radio station operates. A surprising number think we're government or university funded, but we're not, not a single penny of tax money, not at all!

New listeners have no way of knowing their critical role in how WCPE is funded if we don't take time to tell them. This is important education.

We can't reach out to them with a mailout, because our newest listeners have never donated to us and we don't know who they are. We have no option but to hold a fundraiser now and then. However, we do our best to ensure that our fund drives do not take too much time away from Great Classical Music, and we want to keep the fund drive "fun".

"I wish to pledge for the first time. I feel a great sense of pride supporting this wonderful station. The pledge drives are a time when everyone can feel like they are part of a family, and give us an opportunity to share our pride, appreciation, and contribute toward this great cause." Eric

Leonard in Naples, FL: "I have my SqueezeBox set for three music stations: WQXR, ABC (Australian Broadcasting), and WCPE. I think I've freeloaded long enough, so please make me a member. I enclose a check."

Here's Something Special that Really makes the Telephone Ring!

We have found that the most successful way to encourage new listeners to become new Members is to give them a challenge; to offer extra encouragement showing that their personal pledge is important; challenges do make the phone lines light up!

Member Challenges are so special that we call them Angel Challenges because we value the generosity of the Members who make them and they bring extraordinary results. I'm sure you've heard us refer to them during past fund drives.

We hear from more new Members when we have an Angel Challenge offered because we can say "if you'll call in now with your pledge, our Angel will add to your pledge ... ". You've heard this often because Angel Challenges work. Challenges are made with your donation $250 or more and often wind up being more than doubled. Just check off the "challenge" box on the return card!

It's Difficult, but Try to Put a Dollar Value on WCPE!

This is very special and unique community radio station, it is difficult to put a dollar amount on how much you rely on WCPE for quality programming that's entertaining, informative, and unique. If you can't give what you would want now, do keep in the back of your mind the option to include WCPE in your trust, will, bequest, or such; I have -- and I feel good about it!

If you listen through your computer, help guarantee our continuation on the Internet with your donation. Everyone realizes you have to pay for your Internet connection -- so help cover the costs for your Great Classical Music connection! Consider it your tax deductible "right thing to do" to cover your part of WCPE's costs.