It’s easy to turn on Huntley Community Radio on 101.5 FM and listen to some informative programs or music. Just as Alexa.
This is all brought to you by a dedicated all-volunteer professional staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Jim Eggers, Executive Director, describes Huntley Community Radio (HCR), believes HCR has blossomed over its journey.
“The Little Radio Station that could. It has gone from a simple dream to being recognized as a community resource. We entertain, with the music of every genre from pop to swing time. We inform with educational programs such as our show on computer security. We also serve the community with shows like our Sunday morning religious Broadcasting for shut-ins,” Eggers said.
HCR is also listening to its listeners.
In response to the community Eggers adds, “Starting next week, we will even broadcast an updated weather forecast and current temperature throughout the day and night.”
The Community Foundation for McHenry County recently awarded HCR with a $5k donation, which will go towards needed equipment, says HCR Executive Director Jim Eggers (back, standing). (Photo by Tony Pratt/Sun Day)
HCR also tries to find many ways to give back to the community. Eggers said, “We are also proud of our internship program partnered with McHenry County College. Our intern graduates have gone to work at WTMJ in Milwaukee, Wind 560 AM and even WGN 720 AM. We have two a semester and we provide the students with real experience. They are given the opportunity to record and edit programs providing them more opportunities than running errands and making copies.”
However, HCR is still striving to progress. The radio station, in addition to the much-needed volunteers, needs funding. This March they were awarded a $5000 Grant from The Community Foundation for McHenry County.
Margaret Miller, program manager for the Foundation, notified the radio station: “We are honored to be able to support your organization’s great work and look forward to sharing this joyous occasion with your board of directors, leadership team and staff.”
Eggers agrees.
“The Community Foundation is very supportive,” he said. “The funds will be used for very much needed equipment necessary to keep us up and running. Without their support in the past, we would have never had the automation we have now. We are so very, very lucky to have Ken Czerwinski, one of our Sun City residents. He is a genius. He takes care of all our IT needs. Our transmitter went out this winter when the weather was 30 below. Ken worked his magic and we were up and running.”
Ken Czerwinski responds, “We are so grateful to receive this funding I have been buying parts on eBay to keep some of this equipment going.”
HCR relies on the community and has found generous sponsors. Allen Pollack, Board Advisor states, “We were lucky to get this space from the Park District. We have been able to build our radio station here. Thom Palmer, executive director of the Huntley Park District met with me and it began. We could not have done all this without him. We are fortunate to have the park’s support and the Village of Huntley’s continued support. None of this would have been possible without the continued generous support of the Community Foundation for McHenry County.”
Eggers expressed after receiving the symbolic ‘Big Check’ from the Community Foundation for McHenry County:
“With your help, Huntley Community Radio will continue to grow and keep the community informed and connected. From all of us here at HCR, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you,” he said.
In the past, the grants from the Foundation were handed out at a breakfast event. This year, onsite visits were made to the recipients, giving the opportunity to HCR to highlight the work they have done a shoestring.
Miller stated, “Since 2001, The Community Foundation for McHenry County, an affiliate of the Chicago Community Trust, has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to create a better quality of life throughout McHenry County. In fiscal year 2018, the Community Foundation for McHenry County, together with its donors, granted more than $2.2 million to nonprofit organizations: protecting the human services safety net for those hardest hits by the economy, developing new audiences to sustain our county’s arts and education organizations, and improving conditions for healthy and active lifestyles.”
Eggers adds that HCR’s mission is not over.
“Though we are very grateful for the funds we have received. We need more donations. We asked that those who shop on AmazonSmile consider supporting Huntley Radio,” he said.
Donations have helped take HCR on the road as well.
Czerwinski said, “We are able to go offsite because of funding received. We cover the Huntley High School Playoffs as well as events in Sun City such as the Softball Veteran’s game.”
You can support HCR by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of the eligible AmazonSmile purchases. You just have to select Huntley Community Radio NFP. If you have a Facebook account, you can visit their page at 101.5 FM Huntley Community Radio and click on the donate button.
