Annual Community Against Violence Radiothon set for next month
Community Against Violence (CAV) is hosting its annual radiothon fundraiser next month, Thursday (Oct. 7), on KTAOS, 101.9 FM, to raise funds in support of its anti-domestic and sexual violence services for Taos County.
“KTAOS has hosted (CAV)’s Radiothon for the last 18 years. This will be the 19th annual Radiothon,” according to CAV Executive Director Malinda Williams, who noted CAV’s services in Taos are in even greater need since the COVID pandemic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020, finds there to be almost a pandemic within a pandemic nationwide and worldwide (see statistics sidebar).
“Like the rest of the world, we are seeing the same thing,” Williams added. “And what even more striking is the intensity in both domestic and sexual violence and child abuse cases [in the past 18 months of COVID-19]. It’s devastating.”
While donations were also accepted in person at the radio station prior to the pandemic, this year’s fundraiser, like last year’s, will be remote-only.
In 2019 CAV raised $76,800 of its $180,000 fiscal year budget; in 2020 they made $86,000 of the $180,000 required to operate. “It was the most money we were able to raise in all our radiothons to date,” Williams said.
They are hoping for that, and of course more, for 2021. Local businesses and community members have historically come through to meet and exceed CAV’s Radiothon expectations.
“There are so many people in our community struggling, but there are also many more who are willing to help. I’m so pleased and proud to be living here, in a place where so many people care about each other,” Williams said.
Williams and CAV Deputy Director Debbie McCann will be having a good time on-air, too, manning the Radiothon phones Oct. 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., taking donations and talking to the community about the services they provide and the impact those services have on the community.
The CAV Board and staff said in press materials that the spirit of giving is alive and well in Taos County, despite the financial hardships caused by the pandemic. They hope the community “will choose to donate to help survivors get the services they need. Encourage your friends, co-workers, and families to join you in fostering a community free from violence,” the press materials read.
Donations can be texted to KTAO’s Textline 575-770-1325, called in live on air at KTAOS 575758-8882, or dropped off in person at CAV’s new Thrift Store at 1509 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. Online donations can also be made with PayPal at TaosCAV.org.