Public radio station KMST‘s annual Spring Cyber Membership Drive will be held Feb. 16-22 on its website, kmst.org, followed by the station’s membership drive, which will be broadcast live on KMST Feb. 23 through March 3. The drive’s goal is $70,000.

Station Manager Wayne Bledsoe says the Cyber Drive will give members and listeners an opportunity to pledge early and enjoy KMST’s normal program schedule during drive week.

“Those investing with KMST will receive a special website address that will allow them to listen to normal live-stream programming, bypassing the on-air portion of the spring membership drive’s announcements, interviews and pledge cases,” says Bledsoe.

“All visitors to our website during our Cyber Drive will have the opportunity to register for a Bose Wave Radio, which is sponsored by Speak Easy Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Rolla,” he says.

KMST is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a public radio station this year and is offering a 40th anniversary travel mug as one of the available premiums for members.

Depending on membership level, those pledging during Cyber Week will also be entered into one or more of the on-air membership drive drawings. Prizes include the latest Apple iPad ($365 level and up, sponsored by Public House Brewing Co. of Rolla), a family membership to Vessell’s Fitness Complex in Rolla ($120 level and up, sponsored by Vessell’s) and an Amazon Kindle Fire ($25 level and up, sponsored by Avalon Photography Studio of Rolla).

Premium gifts are also available to all members pledging at the $60 level and up. Those pledging at this level are eligible for a CD (classical, bluegrass or singer-songwriter), an anniversary travel mug, and a KMST T-shirt or embroidered cap. Those investing at the $120 level or above are also eligible for an on-air “Day Sponsor” announcement.

The money raised from the drive goal will go toward the general operating costs of the station and will help the station continue to offer high quality programming, including nationally acclaimed, award-winning “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered,” “Marketplace” and “The Diane Rehm Show.” In addition to these flagship programs, KMST offers a variety of formats that include local and national news, talk, classical, jazz, acoustic folk, blues, big band, bluegrass, African, Caribbean, Celtic and more.

The on-air portion of the KMST spring membership drive will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, with Bledsoe’s popular program, “Bluegrass for a Saturday Night.” Special guests from around the area will be featured during the drive.

KMST’s programs, music, hosts and behind the scenes operation would not be possible without the financial support of its members. “I sincerely hope listeners will consider increasing their investment with KMST this year,” says Bledsoe. “If you’re not a member yet, I hope you’ll join and help us as federal funding continues to decrease.”

Many levels of membership are available. Listeners can join KMST for less than $3 per month and enjoy public radio programming along with the benefits of the KMST membership card. The membership card offers various discounts from businesses throughout the area.

Members and listeners may pledge online at kmst.org or call during the on-air membership drive at 573-341-4386 in the Rolla area, or toll-free at 888-776-5678.

KMST is a 100,000-watt non-commercial public radio station licensed to the Curators of the University of Missouri System, with listeners from 47 states and 41 countries through its website. KMST is located at 88.5 FM in the Rolla area and 96.3 FM in Lebanon and online at kmst.org.