December 2, 2016
Dear Friend of Irish Radio,
“Come West Along the Road” with Marianne MacDonald and the Vincent Gallagher Irish Hour: have been on the air for 110 years The shows are live every Sunday from 11:00AM to 1:00PM on WTMR 800 AM. The shows can also be heard on the internet at www.wtmrradio.com, or by listening on a smartphone via iHeartradio.com, or Tunein.com.
Prior to Marianne, folks all over the Delaware Valley listened to The Tommy Moffit Irish Show and prior to Vincent, people tuned in for Mary O’Kane. For decades, people throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond have counted on the music, announcements, interviews and news from the Irish community both in Philadelphia area and Ireland, and the radio shows were an essential part of the Irish history and tradition in the Delaware Valley.
The shows, as so many other businesses, have felt the slowdown of the economy. At one time it was largely supported by advertising revenue. Over the past 11 years that revenue has dwindled substantially and the shows are now largely supported by listener support and organizational donations. Through a series of popular on-air pledge drives, hosted by local people of renown such as Michael Bradley, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Director, Gerry Timlin and Gabriel Donohue, well-known Irish performers and heads of different county organizations, AOH divisions and dance schools, the shows have been able to stay on the air. These pledge drives raise the funds needed to cover a large portion of the weekly air-time cost.
The shows are definitely a “labor of love” as it is done live 95% of the time, which means that the hosts of the show is expected to be at the studio every Sunday to broadcast, regardless of weather, health, holidays or other commitments. The hosts of the shows are not paid nor given any financial compensation. Without listener support these shows would not be able to continue to bring the Irish community their music, events, news and announcements.
Please, if you can support the radio show by making a pledge during the upcoming on-air fundraiser on Sunday, December 4, 2016, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM hosted by Michael Bradley, you will be helping to keep a Philadelphia tradition alive and well! Attached you will find a pledge form which can be returned to either Michael Bradley at mbradley@bradleyfloors.com or to Marianne MacDonald at rinceseit@msn.com prior to Sunday, or if you dont have email call in during the shows at 856-962-8178.
You can also just email Michael Bradley at mbradley@bradleyfloors.com put Irish Radio Shows in the Subject Line Box and let him know the amount pledged and dedication reason and mail the check at your convenience to the mailing address on the pledge form.
Thank You, And May God Bless You And Your Families For Your Generosity!
Michael Bradley Marianne Mac Donald Vincent Gallagher
Thank you for supporting the Sunday Irish Radio pledge drive. You have shown your support for Irish music, news, event announcements and information in the Delaware Valley by pledging the following
on Sunday, December 4, 2016
Please mail the pledge form below with your check made payable to:
WTMR Radio-800 AM
***Please indicate on the memo line of your check: Irish Radio***
Mail to:
Sunday Irish Radio
P.O. Box 383
Mantua, NJ 08051
NAME__________________________________________________________
ADDRESS_______________________________________________________
PHONE/EMAIL__________________________________________________
I am enclosing the following amount:__________
Requested date of dedication: Sunday ________________________
Please dedicate a song to:____________________________________
In memory of_____________________________
Happy Birthday_____Happy Anniversary___Other ________________
Congratulations to ____________________________________________
Prize Request____________________________________________________
