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Radio station Share-A-Thon set next week
"When KNGN went on the air April 8, 1990, no one knew if KNGN would still be in existence 15 years later," wrote interim station manager Mike Nielsen, in his 2005 letter addressing the Christian radio station's "Festival of Grace Share-a-thon."
Four years later, KNGN is still going strong and now Good News Radio is broadcast not only in Nebraska and Kansas but around the world, with online streaming available at www.kngn.org
Station manager Adam Spanier, who celebrated his first year on the job at KNGN March 10, has been instrumental in refurbishing the station, the programming, equipment and now its overall outreach. Ably assisted by volunteers, the KNGN board of directors and staff, Ree Smock, Nate McCarty and Jim Mitchem, Spanier is preparing for the 2009 Share-a-thon of Grace "All things through Christ..." (Matthew 17:20) April 22-24.
A variety of auction items are posted online at www.kngn.org, and Spanier is scheduling guests, online interviews, performers and games for what he promises will be "the most fun Share-a-thon ever!"
Spanier chose the theme "All things through Christ..." because throughout the past year, he has been eyewitness to the strength of Christ as the station was transformed, new equipment came online and the opportunity to broadcast over the Internet became a reality. Spanier writes in his Share-a-Thon letter, "There are yet many mountains to move, but we here at KNGN know that we don't move them ourselves. We do all things through Christ who gives us the strength to carry out the work that must be done."
The online streaming is a dream come true for the young man, who grew up with computers and the Internet as a part of everyday life. "McCook Net is donating bandwidth," explained Spanier, "and Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial is supporting the online presence as well." Listening online is easy, Spanier said. Just go online to www.kngn.org and click on the "listen now" link. "The computer walks you through the rest."
The Web site already lists more than 55 auction items, ranging from pet food to fishing reels, wall plaques, a quilt, solar memorial crosses and a "Your Best Life Now" The Game. New this year is a divided auction format. Each of the three days of Share-a-Thon will feature 20 unique auction items and auctions will close promptly at 7 p.m., each day. The division of items and closing times are online at www.kngn.org
One item sure to draw the most questions, if not the highest bid, is the "First Annual Date-a-Radio Celebrity," offered on day three. Ree Smock has graciously agreed to go on the "chopping block" for the cause, explained Spanier. Dinner for two at the Coppermill is the item up for bid. "Anyone 5-90 is eligible," said Ree, laughing. "I just hope I don't have to bid on myself!"
"The business support has been unbelievable," said Spanier. "I've had positive responses from throughout Southwest Nebraska, North Platte and Kearney."
On air interviews are scheduled with Doreen Mohr of Imperial, with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League; Val Kircher and Tammie Hilker with Habitat for Humanity; Joanne Nemechek on behalf of the Multiple Sclerosis Support Group; Shannon Williams for the Thursday Community Suppers at Memorial United Methodist Church; and Dorothy Henton with the McCook Pantry. The Rev. Brent Kuhlman, host of Table Talk on Sunday afternoons, is one of many telephone interviews planned and Dawn Cribbs, who writes and records Dawn of New Day every Wednesday afternoon will sit in for a live interview April 22.
The station will be open to visitors throughout the Share-a-Thon and area restaurants are lining up to provide meals and snacks each day for on-air personalities, volunteers and guests.
For more information, to make a donation or to volunteer, call the station at (308) 345-2006 or (800) 710-1360 or go online to www.kngn.org.
Items available as of Friday, April 10, are:
Solar Memorial Crosses from Carpenter Breland Funeral Home; a Hands Holding Bible and inspirational wind chimes from Dollar General; a 2-gallon sprayer from D&S Hardware; a Metalcrafters frypan from Knowlen & Yates; a professional canvas portfolio from Top Office Products; a Kenmore vacuum from Sears; the Harvey Hinz trainride for 30 at the Harvey and Erma Hinz farm; a wooden rocking horse from Vern Esch; a $50EE savings bond from McCook National Bank; a haircut from Clips & Curls Hair Salon; two $25 gift certificates from Modern Cleaners; a $50 gift card from Willow Creek Meats; a two tier serving tray and crystal bowl from Accents, ETC.: a Zebco 202 Slingshot fishing pole and reel from Wal-Mart; a Shakespeare UglyStik fishing pole with an UglyCast reel from Wal-Mart; Quart Lighted Cube displaying a beautiful flower with butterflies from Peterson Jewelers; "Your Best Life Now" The Game from Bible Supply of North Platte; CrossFish necklace and keychain from Farrell's Pharmacy; Amazing Love Wall Cross Plaque from Farrell's Pharmacy; Country Acres Cat Food from Stockman's Feed and Seed; Red Flannel Dog Food from Stockman's Feed and Seed; Cross with tassel and ribbon from Country Floral; a Traveling Cross from Raymond Schow; 2008 National Allis-Chalmers 7580 Tractor Toy from Klein's Motor and Electric; John Deere 4410 toy Tractor with rotary cutter from Southwest Implement; Power System Plus 600 Watt Jumpstart System from Orshceln's; three copies of McCook Memories 125th Anniversary from the McCook Daily Gazette; Quilt from St. Paul's Wauneta Lutheran Womens' Missionary League; Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball T-shirt from the Sports Shoppe; a Nebraska Cornhuskers polo shirt, from the Sports Shoppe; Pie plate with complimentary pie from Judy Schow; Delicious Chocolate Cake from Andrea Spanier; First Annual Date-A-Radio Celebrity Auction from KNGN; silver "In God We Trust" bracelet from Blooms and Collectibles in Cambridge; Ten Commandments Plaque from Arapahoe Pharmacy; from The Solid Rock Christian Books of Kearney -- Bibleman DVD, The Money Answer Book, It's Not My Fault and Peek-A-Boo, I See Who; and from Brad and Nita's Antiques in Holbrook -- Prayer of Serenity, Footprints in the Sand and The Lord's Prayer.