I'm embracing a new life in the non-profit world and starting here at XRAY-FM, volunteering for the Fall 2022 fund drive. Radio is my connection to memory. It brings me back to days spent in the car and days spent rushing to hit the record button when a favorite song was playing. Remember tape decks?

Your donation now will help XRAY in countless ways. Now that PPP funding has dried up, the station depends on these fund drives for the majority of their financing.

Here are my personal reasons for donating; maybe they'll resonate with you as well!

• 1. XRAY is community radio. Why is that important? Most commercial radio stations are owned by a handful of corporate giants. The music they play is selected by computer algorithms from a small pool of musicians with the support of another handful of corporate giants. Most musicians never get any airplay. 
• 2. XRAY DJs do their programming with extreme care and love. XRAY DJs are regular people with regular jobs and have radio shows because they love radio and do this FOR FREE. 
• 3. What's in it for you? SWAG baby. Do it for the swag! There are socks, sweatshirts, beanies, and many fantastic giveaways. If you donate today, you'll be entered into a drawing for a giant 'Ultimate Movie Buff Pack' from Movie Madness. RAD.
• 4. XRAY is a registered non-profit, so you'll get a tax write-off! 
• 5. Final reason - I'm scared. I'm doing something entirely out of my wheelhouse, and I have no idea if I'll be any good at this. I can't even believe I'm here asking you this favor. Help me put this fear out of my mind, and help me reach my goal. 

Thanks for reading this far. Even a one-time donation of $10 helps.

THANK YOU, YOU'VE MADE ME FEEL EXTRAORDINARY!

But, we know this platform exists because of the people who give their time or money to make sure it stays on the air. At XRAY, there’s no endowment, no property, no angel donors to lean on. We’re on the air right now because people like you sustain our work year-round.

Without you, there is no XRAY. And without you, conscious community media might not exist. We’ve learned over the years from our peers across the country that a lot of people can be listening, but that doesn’t make the radio run unless a significant portion of those listeners pitch in to make the thing run.

Make sure XRAY continues to be a constant in your life. Not all of us can give, but for those of us who can spare $15 a month for a cultural institution—you’re doing your community a favor. Invest in your community today—and the people who make it—support independent media like XRAY.