It couldn’t happen without KEOS!!
It’s Christmas, and in a tradition stretching back to the Vietnam War and named after the much-loved TV series of that era, the 5 radio stations of Brazos Valley Communications broadcast for 5 days from College Station’s Post Oak Mall in tents set up to simulate a battlefield installation. DJs ask on air for donations of new and gently used toys—or even cash—to be brought by the outpost.
Volunteers in khaki tee shirts gather the toys in bigger tents near the broadcast tents, where the gently used are cleaned and checked for condition, and batteries are installed wherever needed. An endless supply of batteries is supplied by Interstate Batteries of Bryan.
The toys are then matched with gift lists from more than thirty area schools, churches and other organizations and placed in a secure area for pickup by the appropriate organization. This year more than 6,000 children will receive gifts from Radio M*A*S*H…. Make *A* Smile* Happen.
KEOS’s role in this intricate and well-coordinated procedure? KEOS engineers and DJs operate the equipment at Brazos Valley Communications to keep the remote broadcasts by KORA – Radio Alegria – Rock 103.9 – 101.9 The Beat – Oldies 107.3 on air. Rockin’ Billy Ryan, H. Alan Montgomery, Michelle Palmer, St. Patrick Palmer, Carol Davis-Rios, Jess Havens, Matt May, Herb Willett, Ron Ramirez, and D.J. Collins, all under the scheduling and watchful eye of Chief Engineer Lance Parr, stay in constant two-way radio communication with the on-air DJs, making it possible for Brazos Valley Communications staff to function seamlessly at the remote Mall location.
All at KEOS welcome this display of mutual respect and community service and thank those who give so selflessly of their time and talent.
–By Audrey Patton