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By Mary Oishi, Development Director
We received a letter last month from a long-time KUNM supporter. When I read it, I couldn‘t help it—I just started to cry. I wish I could hand it to you, so you could read it for yourself.
Essentially she wrote that she was “one of those old people” who now needed to choose between her prescriptions and her groceries. She regretfully could no longer afford to support KUNM. She followed that up with telling us how important KUNM is to her, how much we matter in her life. She ended with, “I pray that public radio will continue.”
Often, as I work behind the scenes, it is necessary to stay intensely focused on the myriad tasks to be done: the emails to answer, the phone calls to make, the thank you letters to write and sign, the quotes to get from vendors, planning the next direct mail piece, learning new software and keeping up with technology, writing and editing and voicing scripts, preparing training materials, training—the list goes on and on.
Then a letter arrives from this wonderful listener and member. And it stops me in my tracks. It reminds me why I do what I do, and how much it means to tens of thousands of people that KUNM stays on the air. It really matters.
So I go into this fundraising season, determined to convince more people who still can afford to support KUNM, to do so. I guess you could say I am on a mission of sorts. I want to be sure her prayer is answered. When people need that connection to community and to the world, I want them to turn on their radio or log on to kunm.org—and know that KUNM is always there. If I can help to secure that promise, I will have done what love requires of me today.
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Some of us have been working in public radio for 40 years. Others of us have only been here 40 days. Irregardless (not a real word, I know, but I do like the sound of it) of tenure, all of us are committed to quality work, improving our work, and constantly exploring how we can serve you better. This, to me is a great regard for working here at KUNM. We strive to constantly earn your trust and support. 
Both our analog and digital transmissions are available on 89.9. We are not transmitting in digital from our other stations around the state. The same 
May also reported on a public safety bill that would ensure prisons and jails provide mental health screenings to inmates and connect them with services and care. Studies have shown that similar initiatives reduced recidivism in other states. The bill passed both chambers, and Gov. Susana Martinez has until March 7 to sign it or veto it. 
