Dear Web Listener,

The canary in WFMU's coal mine was keeling over when finally, we saw a dim light at the end of the tunnel. We'd been fooled before, so we tried not get our hopes up. But then it happened. That faint glimmer cracked open, flooding us with warm (albeit rancid) New Jersey air, and WFMU emerged from ten years of tribulation, battered but not beaten. And we never would have made it through this dark period without the continual support of our listeners.

We've emerged to our newfound independence and our wonderful new headquarters in Jersey City. The litigation of the early Nineties is a fading memory. But there has been a price. The challenges that we've conquered have left the station with a dangerous level of debt that threatens to force unseemly compromises. We're not about to sell our parking lot, our broadcast licenses, or our soul. But we are struggling, like many first-time homeowners. We're keeping to our pledge of not taking corporate or governmental funding, not accepting underwriting, and not taking any strings-attached funding that would undermine our incredible freedom. But we spend many months literally scrambling to keep the gas, phones and electric from being turned off.

Despite our precarious financial condition, we're also sticking to our pledge of only doing one on-air fundraiser a year. Nothing would sap our morale like having to harangue you on the air two or three times each year. We're hoping that you'll be able to support WFMU during our 2000 marathon with a tax deductible donation and help us continue to do radio the way it ought to be done - with freedom, spontaneity and wit. We've managed to stay true to our rich traditions during some very difficult times, our greatest challenge will be staying true to freeform radio despite our current financial difficulties.

From March 6 to 19th, we'll be trying to have our most successful fundraiser ever, and take a giant step away from the financial brink. The WFMU Marathon is our annual rite of survival, and I hope you'll be able to take part in the fun, prizes and DJ sacrifices, by pledging online right here or by calling in your pledge at 800-989-9368. However you choose to participate, you'll be richly rewarded. Check the other links on this site for details on the many items we'll be offering during the 2000 marathon.

If you help us out by sending in a paid pledge by March 20th, you're entitled to the vintage Kaz T-shirt that's being reprinted especially for our 2000 campaign. If you make an online pledge, you'll automatically receive our stupendous oversized bumper sticker, plus, you'll be eligible for dozens of CDs that are reserved for online pledgers. And this year we're making the special DJ cassette / CD premiums available to folks pledging $300 or more in a single pledge. (Last year, you had to pledge to each show to get these great compilations. This year, you can pledge $300 or more all at once and simply pick which six DJ premiums you want.)

But however you pledge and whatever amount, your donation will go a long way towards keeping WFMU strong, independent and free, three qualities that are becoming ever more rare in today's media environment.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I hope we hear from you during the 2000 'thon.

Ken Freedman, Station Manager (ken@wfmu.org)