Topic: Neighbors in Need
When Annie Leinen, a local firefighter’s wife, was suddenly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer while pregnant with her third child, KOLA-FM and KCAL-FM in Redlands, Calif., worked to support her family in any way possible. Together with the Redlands Professional Firefighters Association, the stations hosted a 13-hour on-air fundraiser to help pay for treatment, much of which was not covered by insurance. At the event, which raised nearly $60,000, station personalities and firefighters handed out T-shirts, ribbons and buttons in exchange for donations. In the months following the event, baby Colton was born 12 weeks premature, and tragically, Leinen passed away two months later. Throughout the heartbreak, the stations continued to ask listeners to band together and support the family. Through a dedicated page on the stations’ Web sites, the community is able to donate funds and leave messages of support, which has led to an unbelievable outpouring that is still underway.
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