While public radio station KMST did not reach its $70,000 goal, the station’s Spring Membership Drive, which was held Feb. 23 through March 3, did bring in $62,663 in investments and was deemed a success. Pledges are still accepted at 573-341-4386 in Rolla, toll-free at 888-776-5678 or online.

The “Cyber Week” portion of the membership drive generated investment pledges totaling $1,177. The on-air drive generated $61,486 and 59 new members.

“The online and on-air totals for our drive came to $62,663, a figure that will surely increase in the immediate post-drive days,” said Wayne Bledsoe, KMST station manager. “Thanks to the success of Cyber Week and the loyalty of our listeners nationwide, I see a bright future for public radio in south-central Missouri.”

As part of its mission to support other community projects, KMST also raised $3,210 for the Friday Backpack Program of Rolla through sponsorship by St. James Winery of St. James, Mo. For each membership pledge KMST received during the drive, St. James Winery pledged $15 to the program. KMST’s past joint fundraising drives includes parterships with the Smile Mobile, Wounded Warriors and Fill A Ford for the Holidays.

In addition to financial support, KMST gained valuable information from members about programming preferences and received several business inquiries about underwriting. This information is reviewed and programming decisions are based on the findings. Follow-up calls will be made to prospective underwriters. Program Director John Francis says it is important that the station strive to reach its membership drive goals in order to fund the existing programming. “While we were short of our membership goal this drive, our members showed great support along with good input on programming,” he says.

KMST held four business-sponsored drawings this spring, all based on levels of investment. Judy Cavender of St. James won the Cyber Week drawing for a Bose Wave Radio, sponsored by Speak Easy Restaurant and Lounge. Dr. James Davison of Rolla won an Apple iPad, sponsored by Public House Brewing Co. An anonymous member of KMST won a one-year family membership to Vessell’s Fitness Complex. John Held of Rolla won an Amazon Kindle Fire, sponsored by Avalon Photography Studio of Rolla.

Drawings were also held for two member-donated items. Richard DuBroff of Rolla won a watercolor painting donated by Mary Lou Corn and Don Walker won a “Wine and Food Pairing Experience” for 10 people donated by Phyllis Meagher of Meramec Vineyards of St. James.

This spring’s drive included guest hosts Chris Heard, Randy Becht, Denny Labantschnig, Tom Shipley, Stevie Kearse, Mike Doyen, Bob Bell, Mike O’Dea, Emily Brickler, Roy Jacobs, Jeff Sandquist, Rich and Luce Myers, Judy Cavender, Bob Cesario, John Butz, Faith Barnes, Peter Hofherr, Matt Mick, Randy Verkamp, Mary Lou Corn, Jo Ann Corn, Judy Fortner, John Butz, Kate Drowne, Amy Beechner McCarthy, Marty Watts, John Westerman, Loretta Wallis, Dan Oerther, Dennis Wilson, Bob Fossey, Lyle Thomas and Cindy Beger.

In its 40th year of service, KMST is a 100,000-watt non-commercial public radio station licensed to the Curators of the University of Missouri System. The station’s funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Missouri University of Science and Technology, membership investments and underwriting.

KMST offers a mixed format of news from NPR, nationally and locally produced talk shows, and a wide range of music, including classical, jazz, acoustic folk, blues, big band, Celtic, bluegrass and Caribbean. KMST is located at 88.5 FM in and around the Rolla area, 96.3 FM in Lebanon, and is live streamed online. Listeners can also follow the station on Facebook.