KAT Country gives voice to Lodi charity

Stockton-based radio show promotes Lodi House

A Lodi nonprofit got a signal boost from KAT Country on Thursday.

KAT-FM radio host Kenny Jones began a 10-day trip around California’s Central Valley for the station’s “10 Deeds in 10 Days” event, broadcasting live from a different local business each day to promote a local charity.

“We’re trying to give a voice to smaller charities that do good work, but aren’t able to market themselves. We get the word out about what they do, try to raise some money for them and use the power of radio to spread the work all over the Valley,” Jones said.

Jones set up shop at Five Window Beer Company on West Locust Street in Lodi on Thursday afternoon, where he used his “Afternoons with Kenny Jones” program to promote the Lodi House, a nonprofit organization that operates thrift stores as well as a shelter for women and children.

“We were looking for a charity that doesn’t have a massive market budget, and Lodi House puts every penny they earn into helping women and kids,” Jones said.

Shelby Young, executive director of Lodi House, was grateful to Jones for promoting her organization and excited for the opportunity to spread her message to a broader audience.

“We’ve never done anything like this before, so it’s super exciting to work with them. We just want the community to know more about the wonderful work that we’re doing. We’re hoping to not only gain support, but also to get the word out to people who might need our services,” Young said.

While interviewing Young on his show, Jones said that he shared her excitement before inquiring about who Lodi House helps and what services it offers. Young explained that Lodi House provides support for women and children, many of them homeless, with services and resources such as food, shelter, educational workshops and therapy, all with the goal of encouraging self-sufficiency.

“We give families all of the support they need so they can get out on their own. We’re inviting them to be a part of the Lodi House, and we sometimes act as parents in helping them with their finances and getting them the help they need,” Young said.

Young added that most of the people that Lodi House helps find them through their website,

NEWS-SENTINEL PHOTOGRAPHS BY BEA AHBECK Lodi House Executive Director Shelby Young and drive time personality Kenny Jones, with the show The Ride Home, high-five after a live radio interview with KAT Country radio 103.3, broadcasting from Five Window Beer in Lodi on Thursday. The segment is...

Lodi House board members Richard Mahoney, left, Christi Kennedy Weybret, center, and Executive Director Shelby Young chat as KAT Country radio 103.3 broadcasts from Five Window Beer in Lodi on Thursday. The segment is part of the station’s 10 Deeds in...

BEA AHBECK/NEWS-SENTINEL Lodi House Executive Director Shelby Young is interviewed by drive time personality Kenny Jones, with the show The Ride Home, during a live radio broadcast with KAT Country radio 103.3 from Five Window Beer in Lodi on Thursday.