Members can give in a variety of ways – through sustaining memberships, through volunteer hours, or even through estate planning. Or, as one member does, you can do all three!
Sharon Bower has been a member of St. Louis Public Radio since joining in the fall pledge drive of 1992. Since that time, she has become a Cornerstone Society member, a Legacy Society member, and a weekly volunteer! She’s even recruited several people to become Cornerstone and Legacy Society members themselves!
We interviewed her to find out why she gives and why STLPR means so much to her:
STLPR: What’s your favorite way to give to St. Louis Public Radio?
Sharon Bower: Gosh, I love all of them. I love being a Cornerstone Member, and when I was looking at my estate, planning for the future, I thought it was important to leave something to the station…but I love being active and hands-on when I volunteer. It’s fun to feel like I’m seeing everything from an inside seat. I always feel good on my drive down to the station.
STLPR: Where else do you volunteer?
SB: I volunteer at the North Side Community School. I tutor first graders, helping them learn how to read. It’s fun and worthwhile and great to see progress. I also work at the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Clayton. It’s a wonderful global program from Japan that helps children learn math and reading skills at their own pace.
STLPR: It seems like education is a big part of your life!
SB: It certainly is. It’s one of the things that draws me to NPR and St. Louis Public Radio. I’m a terribly curious person who wants to know things; NPR fills the bill. It’s a resource that just awes me, and is a wonderful conversation starter.
STLPR: Are there any memorable conversations coming from St. Louis Public Radio?
SB: Actually, conversations with people from different cultures are what got me listening in the first place. In the late 80’s, I became friends with a couple from Pakistan and India, who moved to St. Louis. They always said “On NPR this and today on NPR I heard that…” and I started listening to keep up. It has a broad, global focus, and that’s what interests me.
STLPR: Do you get to travel often?
SB: I love traveling. I go to San Miguel, Mexico in the winter – and I am surrounded by many NPR listeners! – and I’ve been to Sri Lanka twice with friends, Oman in 2006. I like seeing other cultures up close.
STLPR: What are your favorite programs?
SB: I love the classical music on [KWMU 90.7-3]. I listen to BBC news every evening. I love Scott Simon on Weekend Edition, love Diane Rehm, I love Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me, it’s hilarious. But it’s all got that global focus that I love. I learn something new every day.
To find out more about the various ways you can become an all-star member of St. Louis Public Radio, contact the following people:
For volunteers, contact Zack Stovall, 314-516-7481 or zstovall@stlpublicradio.org.
For the Cornerstone and Legacy Societies, contact Jeff Bewley, 314-516-5494 or jbewley@stlpublicradio.org.
