KRCU postpones on-air fund drive because of war

A Cape Girardeau radio station has postponed its on-air spring fund drive because of the war in Iraq.

Officials at KRCU, 90.9 FM, the region's Public Radio affiliate station, had planned to hold a weeklong fund-raising drive beginning Saturday. But station officials said it has been canceled at the urging of National Public Radio because new coverage of the war has squeezed out time for local on-air requests for donations.

Typically, NPR provides longer breaks in its news programs at fund-raising times so local stations can take to the air to solicit donations. But war coverage by NPR has eliminated such scheduling, said Mary Kay Poljan, KRCU development director who coordinates the station's fund raisers.

Poljan said KRCU, located on the Southeast Missouri State University campus, seeks to raise $30,000 in membership donations each spring and a similar amount each fall to help pay for radio programs and operations.

The station operates on a budget of about $400,000. Funding comes from membership donations, corporate sponsors, the federal government and Southeast.

Poljan said station officials aren't certain when or if there will be an on-air fund drive this spring. For now, the station plans to seek donations through the mail and online, she said.

"Making a donation online is simple, safe and secure," Poljan said. The Web address is www.krcu.org.

"Now, more than ever, your support helps KRCU broadcast the reliable NPR coverage you value," she said. "We need the help of all our listeners to be successful."