The public radio KMST fall membership drive is here, and according to station manager John Francis, it is an exciting change of pace from drives of the past.

“We changed this past spring drive to include more program time for our members, and we learned a lot from our efforts,” says Francis. “This fall we’ll be prepared to take the on-air portion of the drive longer if needed but are still hopeful we can wrap up the drive early.”

The drive started Tuesday, Sept. 22, with fundraising during programming breaks only. The intensity of the fundraising efforts will increase each week through Friday, Oct. 16, with a live finish to the drive starting on Saturday, Oct. 17. According to Francis, the drive will officially conclude on Sunday, Oct. 25, or when the station’s goal of $72,000 is reached.

“We hope our listeners will enjoy this new drive format with limited program interruption,” says Francis. “Another change this fall is there’s no advantage in waiting to pledge late during the drive; in fact, there’s more advantage to pledging early. When you pledge early at the $150 level or above, you not only help us reach our fundraising goal faster, but you’re also included in prize drawings you won’t be included in if you wait.”

KMST drawing dates include: Oct. 7 – Marshall Tucker Band tickets and dinner at Wildwood Springs Resort (sponsored by Wildwood Springs Resort) and Oct. 14 – Kindle Fire (sponsored by Avalon Photography Studio).

After Oct. 14, staff will draw for prizes based on levels of fundraising achieved. At the $40,000 level – KMST will give away a family membership to The Centre (sponsored by The Centre). At the $50,000 level, KMST will give away a Bose Wave Radio (sponsored by Public House Brewing Co.). At the $60,000 level, the station will give away an Apple iPad Mini (sponsored by the S&T Store). And at the $72,000 level, the station will give away an Apple Watch (sponsored by Public House Brewing Co.). All members regardless of level of giving will be included in the Apple Watch drawing.

KMST is offering new and renewing members a choice of premiums at the $70 level and above, including classical music CD “The Six Suites for Cello Solo of J.S. Bach,” a Harmonic Vibrations CD selection called “The Essential Van Morrison,” a bluegrass CD called “Runaway Train” and T-shirts with the new KMST logo.

The money raised from the drive will help KMST continue to offer high-quality programming, including nationally acclaimed, award-winning Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Marketplace, The Diane Rehm Show, and one of its newest editions, Here and Now.

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.

To make a pledge to KMST, visit kmst.org or call during the on-air membership drive at 573-341-4949 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.