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WMUK participates in pilot NPR Online Auction

Sept. 7, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Tens of thousands of public radio listeners can go online this month to support their favorite public radio programming as WMUK, the public radio service of Western Michigan University, participates in the first-ever NPR Online Auction.

A pilot project with 25 NPR member stations, the auction, which begins Sept. 14 and ends Sept. 21, will offer listeners nationwide hundreds of items and unique opportunities. The goal is to raise more than $1 million to be shared equally among the stations.

The eight-day event will allow participants to bid on a variety of items, including trips to Washington, D.C., to meet the hosts of "Morning Edition," "All Things Considered" and other popular programs; travel packages to dozens of destinations worldwide; a swimming pool; cruises; paragliding; whitewater rafting; a backstage tour of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and a party for 12 at the renovated WMUK studios.

The NPR Online Auction provides a novel way to raise funds to support WMUK and offers a unique way to involve the community in the public radio experience," says Floyd Pientka, general manager of WMUK. "It's exciting to be able to invite our listeners to connect with WMUK, our staff and programming."

Auction items can be previewed on the Web by visiting wmuk.org and clicking the NPR Online Auction button near the top of the page.

"WMUK was one of hundreds of public radio stations that applied to be apart of this NPR collaboration, and we were gratified that we were selected to participate in this unique pilot program," says Pientka.

Media contact: Vickie Langkam, 269 387-5719, vickie.lankam@wmich.edu

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