In tiny American Samoa, itself a victim of four cyclones (the South Pacific
equivalent of hurricanes) in the last two years, General Manager Joey Cummings
saw the devasation caused to New Orleans and to his home state of
Mississippi by Hurricane Katrina and knew he had to do something. Cummings
called architect Joe Weilenman and attorney Diane Roy, two other
Mississippian's living in Pago Pago, and hatched a plan to hold a radiothon
on Thursday, September 8. Within days, Cummings and crew had enlisted the
help of the Pago Pago Rotary Club, the Lion's Club, the local Business &
Professional Women's Club, the Shriner's, American Samoa Governor Togiola
Tulafono, the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the
territory's other media outlets. 93KHJ's "Samoan Sunrise" team (Scott
Edwards & Lupe Lu) broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the
radiothon as community volunteers collected money at various donation points
island-wide.
Governor Tulafono made an appearance on 93KHJ and reminded local
residents that American Samoa had been the beneficiary of mainland help during past cyclones and that it was time to give something back to those Gulf Coast
residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. In all, over $30,000 was raised,
all of which will be forwarded to the Mississippi Chapter of the American
Red Cross. Contributions included $5000 from the local Ace Hardware store
and $3000 from the local McDonald's franchise.
"For an island of roughly 60,000 people, this is truly a heartfelt
outpouring," said Cummings. "I don't think we could have done any better any sooner. We're pulling this off while it still counts."
After a long 11-hour shift, Scott & Lupe capped off the day by climbing in
the remote van and driving to the Equator Restaurant where they broadcast
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the restauranat's own fundraising effort for
Hurricane Katrina victims.
"This was truly great radio," said Larry Fuss, President of South Seas Broadcasting, Inc., the parent company of 93KHJ (KKHJ-FM). "Joey rallied the troops and staged an event that will not be forgotten. I'm proud of them all."
equivalent of hurricanes) in the last two years, General Manager Joey Cummings
saw the devasation caused to New Orleans and to his home state of
Mississippi by Hurricane Katrina and knew he had to do something. Cummings
called architect Joe Weilenman and attorney Diane Roy, two other
Mississippian's living in Pago Pago, and hatched a plan to hold a radiothon
on Thursday, September 8. Within days, Cummings and crew had enlisted the
help of the Pago Pago Rotary Club, the Lion's Club, the local Business &
Professional Women's Club, the Shriner's, American Samoa Governor Togiola
Tulafono, the local chapter of the American Red Cross and the
territory's other media outlets. 93KHJ's "Samoan Sunrise" team (Scott
Edwards & Lupe Lu) broadcast live from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the
radiothon as community volunteers collected money at various donation points
island-wide.
Governor Tulafono made an appearance on 93KHJ and reminded local
residents that American Samoa had been the beneficiary of mainland help during past cyclones and that it was time to give something back to those Gulf Coast
residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. In all, over $30,000 was raised,
all of which will be forwarded to the Mississippi Chapter of the American
Red Cross. Contributions included $5000 from the local Ace Hardware store
and $3000 from the local McDonald's franchise.
"For an island of roughly 60,000 people, this is truly a heartfelt
outpouring," said Cummings. "I don't think we could have done any better any sooner. We're pulling this off while it still counts."
After a long 11-hour shift, Scott & Lupe capped off the day by climbing in
the remote van and driving to the Equator Restaurant where they broadcast
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the restauranat's own fundraising effort for
Hurricane Katrina victims.
"This was truly great radio," said Larry Fuss, President of South Seas Broadcasting, Inc., the parent company of 93KHJ (KKHJ-FM). "Joey rallied the troops and staged an event that will not be forgotten. I'm proud of them all."
