Hello loved ones! Simon and I (and Stella!) are pledging to walk 100km in August in honour of CKUA's upcoming 100th birthday - will you support our lil campaign?

Some of you may have heard about our new love of long walks. Some days, Simon has walked over 25,000 steps! Other days, I've joined and we've mostly walked less... But we've really loved spending this gorgeous Edmonton summer exploring our beautiful river valley with Stella.

This summer has also been full of shattering news from across the world, and we recognize that fundraising for a radio station may feel irrelevant or insensitive. I've thought a lot about this, and my mind is full of stories from listeners I've had the joy of meeting and hearing from at CKUA in the last six months. In dark times, art and community are light.

CKUA is so special to us. It represents a mix of authentic music and community that helps us feel joy and connection even in the lowest times. I will always remember sending in a song request to Wide Cut Stew on a Saturday morning during one of the covid on-air fundraisers, then slow dancing in our living room to John Prine, treasuring the excuse to do something that felt just a little bit normal.

The friendly voices of many CKUA hosts are a dependable companion for half a million regular listeners. During low times like covid lockdowns, and during all the ups and downs and regular days of the last 99 years, many of our neighbours across Alberta have found laughter and community by tuning in to CKUA. We hear from rural listeners without dependable internet that the FM frequency is particularly meaningful access. These days it costs CKUA about $30,000 per MONTH to broadcast the programming we all love. (It's super cool science actually!)

You may have heard that CKUA started almost 100 years ago at the University of Alberta, maybe you don't know that they have been independent and donor-supported since the 90s, after decades as essentially a public utility. The majority of CKUA’s annual operations these days are supported by listener donations.

That's why we're pledging to walk 100km in August, in honour of CKUA's upcoming 100th birthday. Community and art matter, and CKUA is a true source of joy and belonging on the Prairies. We'll share updates and Stella photos as we go.

Let's fund a day (or more!!?) of province-wide FM and world-wide online access together. Thank you for supporting our campaign!