VoV Raises Over Two-Thirds of FM Goal

Vashon’s own FM community radio station is on its way.  With a little more community support, Islanders will soon be able to listen to 101.9 KVSH-FM on car radios, at home or work, and learn about Island issues, enjoy local musicians, follow high school sports, as well as contribute unique voices to the community discourse.

 “In May, we launched a fundraising campaign and now we’ve passed the two-thirds mark towards our $50,000 budget for building KVSH FM” says Jean Bosch, President of the VoV Board. “Vashon’s generosity is encouraging as we continue engineering studies, research broadcast equipment needs and make plans to remodel the Sunrise Ridge studios.“

“Public support has been amazing,” reports VoV Station Manager Susan McCabe. “It’s exciting to see Islanders coming forward with ideas for new radio shows like Morning Scramble featuring a new host each day of the week. Local radio will help knit us together as a community and help keep us safe in an emergency. KVSH FM will join our web, TV and radio presence so we can all share stories, music, performances and opinions in new ways. After 14 years of work, we are finally fulfilling our dream to give Vashon its own FM radio voice. After all, our name is Voice of Vashon.”

“It’s all about connections and community” says Bosch. “We’ve asked Vashon to help us take a big step to connect our island community in a new and wonderful way. Nothing connects people like a small town radio station and our goal is to put one on the air. We are all taking this big step together by contributing to Raise the Tower. KVSH 101.9 FM is a place where we will unite as neighbors in voice and song, a place where we’ll share and hear stories and perspectives that shape our lives on this beautiful island, a place that will bring us closer together through understanding. That’s the power of community radio.”

Voice of Vashon has sustained itself and thrived as a broadcast entity for 14 years on over 7,000 hours per year of volunteer effort from talented and devoted Vashonians. The Raise The Tower campaign has so far received donations from over 250 individual supporters, evidence of strong community support for Vashon’s own radio station.

With the $50,000 needed, VoV will purchase and install a transmitter, antenna and other equipment required to meet FCC regulations and to produce a high quality FM sound.  The station will expand its Open Studio training program to add dozens of new volunteer program contributors, and extend coverage, even in areas that will be shadowed by Island terrain.  Funds will also go toward adding and improving studio space at Sunrise Ridge.

It takes a community to Raise the KVSH-FM Tower and Voice of Vashon is asking everyone to participate. To support VoV’s effort to bring FM radio to Vashon, visit VoiceOfVashon.org/RaiseTheTower.