The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) will honor TV and radio stations for their public service efforts at 10th annual Celebration of Service to America Awards at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on June 9.
WYFF 4, a Hearst-Argyle Television station and NBC affiliate in Greenville, S.C., will receive the 2008 NAB Service to America Television Award. The honor recognizes one television station in the country for the totality of its efforts in serving the local community.
“The roots of our television station are planted in serving our community through a daily commitment to excellence,” said Michael J. Hayes, president and general manager. “I am proud of our team at WYFF 4 who have embraced our mission in serving our diverse community today, leading toward a better tomorrow.”
WYFF 4 makes a concerted effort daily to focus on relevant issues that affect the local communities in the Carolinas and Georgia, Hearst-Argyle said. At the core of its outreach is its community task force program, involving monthly meetings with community leaders to discuss local issues, concerns and ideas. More than 12 years ago, WYFF 4 led the way in local public service by establishing community task force groups involving leaders from six counties and 16 local cities.
According to NAB judges, in 2007 WYFF 4 worked with more than 48 local community organizations on public service and community initiatives. It aired more than 8,100 local and national public service announcements at a value of $1.8 million dollars in donated airtime during 2007, it said.
Univision Communications will receive the Service to America President’s Special Recognition for being the first U.S. broadcasting company to launch an original, comprehensive national public service campaign designed to educate the Hispanic community about the transition to digital television.
KTVB (Boise, Idaho), a Belo station, will receive the 2008 Television Friend in Need Award. In March 2007, KTVB News Group took on the issue of methamphetamine use and became the exclusive media contributor to March Against Meth, a monthlong statewide campaign to educate adults and children about the evils of meth.
KRGV (Weslaco, Texas) , owned by Manship Family Stations, will receive the 2008 Service to Children Television Award. Many families in this area—near near the Texas-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley—live in poverty, and the needs of the children of this community are great. From providing coats, school supplies and library books to helping students prepare for college through its “Gear Up” and “Masterminds” efforts, KRGV helps provide opportunities for needy children to meet their potential.
KTVK (Phoenix), a Belo station, and partners Fore Adoption Foundation and Aid to Adoption of Special Kids, will receive the 2008 Television Partnership Award. Since “Are You My Family” premiered in June 2006, 59 children have been featured on the KTVK newscast and on the Web. Of those, 32 have been matched with adoptive families—well over twice the rate at which these children are typically adopted. In 2007, the station also produced a special half hour program to explain the adoption process.
