MINOT – People raise money for many charities, and one unique charity is the radio.
Lori Kalgard, marketing director for Real Presence Radio Network, said the station has eight fundraising banquets every year, and Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 p.m. it plans to host its first one in Minot, at Sleep Inn & Suites.
“It’s part of our fundraising efforts to create more awareness for Real Presence Radio throughout our listening area,” said Kalgard. “Our listening area is 2.5 million people.”
Kalgard said Real Presence Radio, a non-profit that started in Grand Forks, now covers five states and 10 diocese, including a signal in Minot, which is 91.1 FM.
Real Presence Radio is affiliated with Eternal Word Television Network.
“For each of our banquets we have a keynote speaker,” said Kalgard. “We like to tap those resources we have from EWTN for our keynote speakers. We also try to get somebody who is very knowledgeable about the Catholic faith and who can really speak the truth about our faith and motivate our audience to explore more about their faith.”
This year’s speaker is President of Renewal Ministries Dr. Ralph Martin, author and speaker from Michigan.
Kalgard said the social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., with supper around 6 p.m. Currently there are 225 people registered for the banquet.
“Of course, it is a fundraising event, so after the program we do make an ask for support of our mission,” said Kalgard. “It’s usually a great time. When you’re in radio you don’t always get to see your audience, so this is really a great opportunity for us to meet those who are listening and hear some stories of faith. We’ve heard stories of conversion, stories of people coming back to the faith. Hearing those stories from our listeners is affirmation of why we continue to do God’s work.”
Kalgard said she’s excited to see the listeners in Minot, this being RPR’s first banquet here
