Irma’s Effects Hit Close To Home

• We are still stunned by the images of the destruction left behind in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Some of the most severe damage was done on the island of St. Maarten, where Lady B and DJ Touchtone of Radio One Urban AC WRNB/Philadelphia just happened to be vacationing when the monster storm hit. Both were emotionally affected by their harrowing experience and came home to share their story on the air and thank listeners for their prayers and well wishes.

“These two somehow managed to make a personal tragedy, a testimony of hope for our listeners,” said Karen Vaughn, Operations Manager of Radio One Philadelphia. “We are so grateful these two radio treasures weren’t stripped from us. I’m blown away at their resilience and thrilled they both found peace in expressing their story on the air.”

• In a related story, Stylz & Roman, morning duo from CBS Radio Country WUSN (US99)/Chicago spent much of their weekend personally appealing to their generous listeners to help support the many moms and families affected by Hurricane Irma through a series of diaper donation drives. Doug Stylz and Justin Roman made the rounds of various area retailers collecting cases of diapers, culminating on Saturday with a major “stuff a truck” drive outside the Luke Bryan concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL.

“I couldn’t be prouder for US99 to be a part of this effort, as it is so close to our listener’s hearts,” said Todd Cavanah, VP of Programming for CBS Radio Chicago. “More than a million Chicagoans listen to US99 each week, and many of them are busy moms who can understand how a simple act of kindness can help so much when you’re faced with a life altering situation like we’ve just witnessed throughout Florida.”

All of the collected diapers will be driven to Florida and personally delivered by US99 staff members to the Salvation Army area command supporting Tampa and St. Petersburg, FL.