Radiothon results show ‘Iowa values its veterans’

As parades and memorial ceremonies were being held throughout the country in honor of Veterans Day last Friday, phone lines were ringing nonstop at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Des Moines, Iowa. Iowans were calling to donate to The American Legion Department of Iowa and 93.3 KIOA’s third annual Vets of Valor radiothon, a program that helps the department meet the financial needs of local veterans and their families.

“Our Vets of Valor 12-hour radiothon is about telling these stories (from veterans on how the Legion helped them) and asking our listeners to give back – to stand up for Iowa veterans in their time of need,” said Tim White, brand manager for KIOA. “The message works.”

Between the Nov. 11 radiothon, and a golf tournament and car cruise held earlier in the summer, more than $112,317 was raised for the Vets of Valor program, surpassing the past two years' combined total of nearly $80,000.

“What it says more than anything is that Iowa values its veterans and they are going to do what it takes to take care of them. That’s something we see all year long,” said Department of Iowa Adjutant John Derner. “This is just another example of Iowans stepping forward to take care of those who have served them.”

The radiothon got underway at 6 a.m. with a live radio performance of the national anthem by a quartet of young men, which included a 2016 Iowa Boys State and Boys Nation alum. “We talk about utilizing our youth program champions and this is one small way that we can do that,” said Department of Iowa Program Director Kathy Nees. “I think it goes a long way with our youth champions to include them in our events; it makes them feel good.”

Throughout the day, monetary challenges were set and met, such as the five-star challenge – a $20 donation for 12 months. And testimonials from veterans on how The American Legion supported them in their times of need were delivered on air, which helped drive donations even more as listeners heard firsthand how the money is being used.

Donations from the Vets of Valor program support veterans who don’t quality for American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance or National Emergency Fund grants, or who need more funding to cover expenses than what those grants provide. For example, Vets of Valor funds ensure veterans don’t lose their home to foreclosure while waiting on VA benefits, or have enough money to pay for rent, groceries or an electric bill.

American Legion Past National Commander Dave Rehbein was onsite to hear the testimonials and from callers and those donating in person about why they were giving back. He said one person wrote a check for more than $1,000 because it was thanks to the military that his life turned out for the better.

“(Vets of Valor) is an outstanding program,” Rehbein said. “Just being there and being part of that and understanding how much the people of Iowa value the veterans by stepping forward with their donations, it really helps reinforce the sense of pride that we all got by serving in the military.”

Derner emphasized that it’s not just monetary donations that are being produced as a result of the Vets of Valor program – Legion posts are interacting with the veterans who call in for assistance. When a post investigates the need of the veteran, oftentimes they will find additional help locally that meet the needs of the veteran, such as a car mechanic or a builder. “Our posts have done a wonderful job in stepping up when we get the call from someone that’s in need; they really come forward and come through for these veterans,” he said.

Besides testimonials, state officials that support the program help drive credibility and donations, Derner said. Longtime Legion member Gov. Terry Branstad was once again at the radiothon and spoke on air about the importance of taking care of veterans and how much it means to him that The American Legion fulfills its mission.

“They really add to the message of what The American Legion does, and above and beyond not only what we do with Vets of Valor, but what we do every day of the year,” Derner said.

The success of the Vets of Valor radiothon is a result of a relationship built over many years between the Department of Iowa and 93.3 KIOA, along with Vets of Valor sponsors First Class Community Credit Union and Prairie Meadows. The sponsors “put a tremendous amount of work into this event; I can’t say enough about what they do for us,” Derner said.

First Class Community Credit Union staff manned the phone lines, Prairie Meadows hosted the radiothon as well as provided veterans with a free breakfast and made significant monetary contributions, and KIOA handled all logistics such as DJ support, producers, promotional efforts and more.

The Department of Iowa’s relationship with KIOA started when the radio station contacted them about needing a color guard at a patriotic event. The relationship flourished to include Legionnaires providing quotes on news stories involving veterans and then on-air discussions about Legion programs.

“As (KIOA) got to learn more about what The American Legion does, what we stand for and our accomplishments over the years, they found more and more that they wanted to be a part of that and wanted to find ways to get our message out for us and find ways to help us accomplish that mission,” Derner said. “In the end it boils down to they believed in what we’re doing, and they want to help us accomplish it.”

“93.3 KIOA is very proud of our relationship with The American Legion of Iowa; and it goes far beyond fundraising,” White said. “In the last three years we’ve been able to use our statewide reach to inform Iowa veterans about the services available to them through The American Legion. The importance cannot be understated. We want everyone to know that were dedicated to doing our part for Iowa veterans and their families.”