From cheering on parade floats and football games to watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and cooking up family favorites, everyone has their own way of making Turkey Day feel special.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the WNZR staff thought it’d be fun to share some of their favorite traditions.
Click HERE to hear the staff’s traditions!
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!
We sat down with Austin Swallow, the Food For The Hungry Board President! They are getting started early this year by helping families with some pop-up food distributions in our community.
Austin tells us the motivation behind these events and he gives us the details on one happening very soon! He also talks about the upcoming Food For The Hungry Drive happening in December.
To learn more about FFTH click HERE!
We spoke with Jill Haught who is part of the Operation Christmas Child Central Ohio Team and oversees church relations in Knox County.
Jill shared a little about her role with the ministry and why it is special to her. She also gave some advice for packing shoeboxes and told us where to take them.
Lastly, she listed some goals that they have for this year’s collection and told us how we can be praying for Operation Christmas Child!
This years goals for our local collection points:
Brandon Baptist Church – 4,457 Boxes
Faith Baptist Church – 1,201 Boxes
To learn more about Operation Christmas Child click HERE!
To find local collection points click HERE!
We got the chance to speak with Dr. Bob Tocheff, MVNU Professor of Music, about their upcoming performance of Handel’s Messiah!
This is MVNU’s 57th performance and Bob has been directing for the past 35 years.
He shares with us an overview of the program and dives a little into each of the three parts. He also explains how this event helps MVNU students and how important it can be.
To learn more about the performance click HERE!
We spoke with John Chidester, Director of the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, about their collection for Food For The Hungry.
He shared a brief history of their involvement with the drive, and he tells us which branches they accept donations at.
John also explains why he believes it is important to support Food For The Hungry.
To learn more about the library’s collection click HERE!
Eric Brown got to speak with the Knox Community Jazz Orchestra Director, Ted Buehrer! Ted talks about their partnership with Food For The Hungry and talks about the concert. It is more than just a concert so he also details the entire event and lets you know what to bring!
To learn more about the KCJO click HERE!
Madeline Grace Banta from Orange Barrel Productions is acting in The Little Princess, and she plays Sara Crewe.
She tells us all about her acting history and she gives us the scoop on her role. Madeline highlights the production as well by telling us about the story and her favorite moments.
Alumni showed their love for WNZR and its ministry to the Knox County Community Saturday as they returned for our 39th anniversary!
Click HERE to hear all the conversations!
Some turned radio into a profession while others used the tools they learned to help them in the professional world outside the communications industry.
It was heartwarming to hear how this radio station and its ministry have impacted their lives.
Even the man who made sacrifices to help start WNZR, Bill Bridges (pictured with Joe and Marcy Rinehart) gave a short testimony.
Others who stopped by:
Click HERE to check out WNZR’s website!
Debbie Ruggles, who is Executive Director of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce is also involved with the group Psi Iota Xi.
Click HERE for the full conversation!
She talks about the group which is a women’s philanthropic organization and focuses on helping others in the area.
They got involved with Food For The Hungry because their mission closely aligns with the groups mission, so it was a natural fit.
Debbie says they are organizing the Food For the Hungry’s Elementary School drives. The drive is underway through November 21st. She says students can bring canned food and non-perishable food items. They are also accepting monetary donations.
Debbie explains why the food collection is incredibly important at this time of the year due to massive increased food costs. She says every food items or donation will stay in Knox County.
She says there are rewards for top collectors and the top class will receive a pizza party and top individual student from each school will be featured on FFTH Live on December 12th!
Debbie also thanks all the teachers, administration, staff and especially the students and parents who encourage the students to donate.
Debbie Ruggles talks about the purchasing power of monetary donations. She says for every dollar donated, Food For The Hungry organizers can buy $4.56 at the Mid-Ohio Collective.
She says that every can, non-perishable food item, and dollar helps those in need in Knox County.
She asks that students and parents reach out to their family and friends to help each student donate to the drive.
Debbie also talks about what Food For The Hungry’s slogan, “Working together to care for our neighbors” means to her.
She says Psi Iota Xi is bringing back their tea fundraiser in late spring.
Click on THIS link for their Facebook page and THIS link for the organization’s website!
Click HERE for Food For The Hungry!
Tony Montgomery from Orange Barrel Productions plays two parts in the play The Little Princess, Captain Crewe and Mr. Carrisford.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation!
He tells our Marcy Rinehart how he got into theater starting in 1999. He has also been in 50 productions including Orange Barrel starting in 2007 as well as other MTV Arts productions including Beauty and the Beast.
Tony explains how he has been preparing for both roles including using some of his real-life experiences into the characters.
He says that he likes both characters because they both want to help Sara.
He also explains what he will be wearing in the production as both characters.
He adds that both characters are portrayed a little differently than other similar productions.
He also explains how vital wardrobe can be to not only the audience but the actor or actress who need to get into character.
Tony gives some insight into the back story of the play. He says that Sara was a little princess growing up then faces some adversity and drops to a lower level of society.
Tony says that it has been interesting seeing the different castes that were a part of society at the time the play is set.
He says that his favorite memory in this show (and most shows) that the cast effectively becomes a family. He says it has been a treat to see the young cast members grow personally.
He says people should come see the Little Princess because at its core it is a story about making the most out of a bad situation with a positive attitude.
Click HERE for information and to buy tickets for the performances!
Rise and Shine 