Civitans plan takeover of WBLE on Saturday
Published 11:46 am Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Civitans plan takeover of WBLE on Saturday
By Rupert Howell
Batesville Civitans will take to the air this Saturday beginning at 6 a.m. for their traditional Civitan Radio Day, the clubs annual fundraiser, where they will auction items ranging from an autographed President-elect Donald Trump book to a bushel of sweet potatoes.
The Radio Day fundraiser tradition is thought to have begun in the 1980s when local characters Joe B. Hartley and Gilbert Crawford kept listeners on their toes for a day of “fun-raising” which last year raised approximately $30,000 according to Civitan Ricky Swindle.
The club will “take over” WBLE radio station 100.5 Saturday morning with radio personalities Swindle and side-kick Johnny Pace along with Civitans David Honnell, Scotty Respess, Glen Adams Tom Simmons, Keith Moore and others.
Swindle emphasized the fundraiser is a 100 percent club effort with local and area businesses donating items to be auctioned and local Civitans gathering the booty and taking calls.
“We’re just depending on listeners to help on their end,” Swindle said.
The group will not surrender the station back to its management until 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon.