CJSR turns 25, and hopes this year's FunDrive is as monumental

88.5 CJSR's annual FunDrive is off to a successful start last Wednesday, which many volunteers and staff believe is due to the major changes seen over the past year.

Edmonton's only independent radio station kicked off their fundraiser on September 23, with key amendments put in place Lesley Vaage and Desiree Schell, the Fun Drive coordinators, after a rather unsuccessful event last year.

"We didn't reach our financial goal last year, which is always disappointing," Schell said. "Volunteerism was low because of issues with the station, and then you have the economy."

So with 2008 being a tough year for most charities, Vaage and Schell arranged for a drastic overhaul to structure the event to be more fruitful. Schell has arranged for bigger and better giveaways and swag to be ready for the donating public, as well as making sure all the volunteers have an assignment.

"Everything is a lot more structured. Everyone is more organized this year," Schell said. "If you can put more structures in place before the event, you can be more flexible during the event. Something will bite you in the ass, you don't know what, but something will. Being more flexible can help that out a lot."

Even many of the other volunteers can see the new changes and excitement around the radio station, including "25 to Life" hosts Aaron Levin and Andrew Keenan, who are participating in their fourth Fun Drive.

"This FunDrive, volunteers have come to the forefront. I wish we had this much volunteer support year round," Levin said. "It seems everyone is coming out of the wood work and stepping up to the plate."

The great start to the fundraiser is extremely important, because financially speaking, the station couldn't stand another poor year.

"We would be able to keep going, but at a drastically reduced level," Schell said. "I hate to say it, but less staff cost less money, and that means more work for everyone."

But with the continued growth of corporate broadcasting, Edmonton needs an independent station like CJSR to be working at full capacity, rather than a "reduced level." Volunteers like Keenan believe that the community needs an independent voice, for an alternative view.

"Aaron and I need a public forum. It's important for people like us to have a creative outlet and voice. It's really nice to have a space to be this creative," Keenan said.

Both Keenan and Levin feel very strongly about the role of CJSR in society, both stating that the station’s unique option has become a part of Edmonton after 25 years on the air.

"Every city needs an organization that can act as a counter cultural epicenter that brings people together on the measures of society," Levin said. "CJSR is the best for that."

The FunDrive runs from September 23 to October 3 and as of Sunday night, have raised nearly $48 500.

*** AND LISTEN TO YOURS TRULY ON AIR, THIS WEDNESDAY AT 9AM. MAKE SURE TO CALL 780-492-CJSR TO DONATE AT THAT TIME AS WELL***