With a gift $100,000 from an anonymous donor, radio station WHQR has now received over $882,000 in cash and commitments to support the goals of its emPowering Our Future major initiative campaign, the Wilmington NPR affiliate station announced recently.
 
"The emPowering Our Future campaign will raise funds to support service expansion, new technologies, advanced community engagement and connection, stability and service and the recent purchase of its permanent home in downtown Wilmington,” the radio station’s news release stated.
 
The donor prefers to remain anonymous but expressed confidence in the direction, impact and leadership of WHQR, according to the release.
 
Of the gift, board chairman David Zumbro said in the release, “We are overwhelmed with the generosity of this donor and the effect this gift will have on our future. Just over three years ago, we were working to pay down our debts. Now we have purchased our own space, have launched a second signal and are celebrating a gift like this from one of our listeners. It’s truly remarkable and it’s a testament to the place WHQR holds in our listeners’ lives and this community.”
 
Looking ahead toward the campaign goal of $2 million, station manager Cleve Callison said that the campaign has generated widespread support.
 
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us in order to achieve our goals,” he said in the release, “but we are driven by the outpouring of appreciation expressed by our listeners ... The campaign for emPowering Our Future advances the mission for the radio listeners and a vibrant community with increasing needs.”