A gift from Sherwood Trust caps a major initiative to improve the broadcast of KGTS, the network hub for Positive Life Radio. The Walla Walla, Wash., foundation granted $20,000 to the Walla Walla University radio station to purchase and install two antennas on Pikes Peak, which overlooks the Walla Walla Valley from the Oregon side. These improvements will bring broadcast transmission up to current industry standard.
The Sherwood Trust is a nonprofit, private foundation founded by Donald and Virginia Sherwood. The Sherwoods were longtime residents of Walla Walla. The couple worked together in contributing to the quality of life in the Walla Walla Valley through their involvement in many major civic projects, including the public library and downtown developments.
Installing the new antennas will complete the station's $147,000 project, which also includes replacing studio equipment and updating Internet connections between the five stations that broadcast Positive Live Radio.
More than $127,000 has already been contributed. Gifts have come from many sources including Verizon, which donated towers valued at $24,100. A donor gave a one-time gift of $40,000 to kick off this fundraising initiative. Former staff members of Positive Life Radio made contributions, and from the listening audience 543 families each gave $100 to carry the project toward completion.
Based on the Walla Walla University campus, Positive Life Radio is a network of five radio stations and 15 translators throughout the Inland Northwest. It reaches more than 120,000 listeners in 18 communities and can be streamed anywhere at plr.org.