WASHINGTON, DC - Haiti's Signal FM radio will be honored for their outstanding service to the Haitian community during the aftermath of the recent earthquake disaster, the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) announced today. Station owner Mario Viau will accept the award during the Celebration of Service to America gala held Monday, June 14, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Now in its 12th year, the Celebration of Service to America Awards recognizes outstanding community service by local broadcasters.
"Signal FM reached nearly three million Haitians, providing them with information that helped unite families and save lives," said NAB Education Foundation President Marcellus Alexander. "The tireless efforts of the station's staff truly exemplify the crucial role that broadcasters play in providing information and resources to millions of people during times of crises."
Recognizing the important role of broadcasting during the Haitian earthquake relief efforts, the U.S. Army distributed more than 50,000 radios to Haiti citizens aimed at keeping them informed of the latest developments affecting their country. As the only radio station in Haiti that remained on-the-air immediately following the earthquake, Signal FM became a vital source of information for the millions of Haitians that had no access to fuel, electricity or telephone service.
For nearly two weeks, Signal FM provided round-the-clock coverage to families and rescue teams desperate for information. The station helped locate missing people, spread news to families searching for lost loved ones, and delivered messages to Haitians across Port-au-Prince regarding available water resources and hospital information. Additionally, Signal FM helped save the lives of numerous Haitians by providing reports to rescue teams describing where immediate aid was needed.
About The Celebration of Service to America Awards
The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from Bonneville International Corporation and the National Association of Broadcasters. In recent years, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," entertainment industry icon Quincy Jones, legendary rock star Sir Elton John, former President Bill Clinton, First Lady Laura Bush, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter, and former First Lady Nancy Reagan have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event. Details about the Celebration of Service to America Awards are available at
www.nabef.org/ServicetoAmerica.
About Bonneville International Corp.
Founded in 1964, Bonneville International's heritage traces its early roots to KSL Radio, which first went on the air in July of 1922 (originally as KZN) in Salt Lake City and to KSL-TV, which had its on-air debut in 1949. Bonneville currently owns and operates 28 radio stations in the Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Cincinnati markets, with company headquarters in Salt Lake City. The company's working motto is "Do good, do well, make a difference, and have fun," and it structures its innovative and successful business model on the three principles of 1) building its people, 2) making a difference in its communities, and 3) meeting aggressive financial goals. Bonneville enjoys a long-standing reputation and is known industry-wide for its quality, values-oriented programming, its technological innovation, and its nationally recognized and award-winning commitment to serving the communities where it broadcasts.
About NABEF
The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving broadcasters and the public interest by supporting and advocating community service, diversity, education and broadcasting issues and trends.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America's broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.