WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kit Bond and Congressman Roy Blunt today announced that Ozarks Public Television and KSMU-FM of Springfield will receive the My Source Community Impact Award for Engagement from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.   

 

“Ozarks Public Television and KSMU are providing a critical community service for many families struggling with the housing, energy and economic crises. The selflessness of our Springfield stations is a great example of how we can use our resources to help others in times of need and I congratulate them on this well deserved recognition,” said Senator Bond.

 

“Ozarks Public Television KOZK and KSMU Radio provide unique and timely programming to their listeners,” Congressman Blunt said. “KOZK’s and KSMU’s outreach work during the nation’s financial crisis aimed at serving the needs of individuals and bringing greater understanding to the community are deserving of this recognition.”

 

Arlen Diamond, Director of Broadcast Services at Missouri State University said, “We were pleased to be part of the nationwide My Source effort.  It has been a great way to connect with the many communities we serve across the Ozarks.  This award is really a testament to the hard work of our staff – both on this campaign and all year round.”   

 

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) will present the award to Ozarks Public Television and KSMU for aligning their local content with the needs of Southwest Missouri through their Sense of Community Initiative.  The CPB My Source Award includes a $2,000 grant to promote the initiative and a stipend to support a local event celebrating the award. 

 

Ozarks Public Television and KSMU created the Sense of Community Initiative using the five public interest areas ingrained in the mission of Missouri State University, which include education, health, business and economic development, science and environment, and creative arts. Every year, the Springfield stations create 30-minute segments on each of the five public interest areas and address local issues. This year’s business and economic development segment addressed personal financial planning issues.  Financial experts were called in to help community residents dealing with the current economic downturn. 

 

The My Source Community Impact Awards for Engagement were created by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to give well-deserved recognition to local stations for their commitment and responsiveness to their to their communities, providing innovative services—on air, online, and in-person—that have measurable results. 

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