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Dear Fellow (and future!) Members,
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It continues to be an exciting time for WEDU and for public television. Because of the success of our Capital Campaign, during which WEDU raised $12.5 million, we’ve been implementing new digital television technologies. With the transition to digital television and the future of high-definition programming on the near horizon, you’ll begin to see television in a whole new way, literally. You’ll continue to receive new and innovative quality programming you can trust and that sparks your imagination, feeds your mind, uplifts your spirit and offers you insight and understanding of our changing world with vivid clarity and interactive capabilities.
Our exceptional fundraising and business efforts have not gone unnoticed. Charity Navigator, a national organization that rates over 1.5 million non-profits annually, awarded WEDU a 4-star rating for sound fiscal management for the second consecutive year.
Locally-produced WEDU programs have been honored with numerous awards including four Emmy Awards for A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins, and The Horses of Proud Spirit, a local half-hour documentary, has been broadcast on PBS stations throughout the country. Additionally, our interview-style programs continue to highlight the lives and thoughts of the notable individuals that shape our community everyday; these programs include our weekly public affairs program Florida This
Week, hosted by Rob Lorei; WEDU Interview; Up Close with Cathy Unruh and Suncoast Business Forum hosted by Geoff Simon.
Our outstanding local, national and international programming is complemented by our every day outreach efforts to serve the citizenry of west central Florida. The spirit of our programming is also brought to life throughout the year by engaging and entertaining special events planned to bring you in touch with the very essence of our mission and with other supporters that share the passion for the programs brought to you by WEDU and PBS.
One of the station’s community outreach efforts, the WEDU Be More Awards™,
is an award-winning project entering its third year. This program celebrates and provides awareness for the west central Florida non-profit community and heralds achievements made by its everyday heroes.
The station’s Ready-to-Learn initiative creates engaging television and other electronic programs, exciting games, playful Web sites, and easy-to-use learning resources for kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers—all with the goal of helping children ages 2 to 8 get ready to read.
I am very proud of the many wonderful things we provide for the community. If you are not yet a member, I hope you will visit our Support WEDU page and join; if you are already a member, thank you again for your support. It is through the support of our members that we can continue to be your community PBS station and the most-watched PBS station in Florida.
Sincerely,
Richard M. Lobo
WEDU President and CEO
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