Annual fundraiser key for Palmer radio station

PALMER — Fans of Radio Free Palmer gathered to shred some cabbage.

In November, Radio Free Palmer, also known as Big Cabbage Radio, hosted its third annual Shred the Cabbage event at Klondike Mikes Saloon in downtown Palmer.

“With understanding all of that and understanding we’re and all volunteer community radio station, it makes it possible for us to exist and the only reason we’re here is because the community says, we’d like them to be here,’” Radio Free Palmer Chief Operating Officer Mike Chmielewski said.

Radio Free Palmer, KVRF 89.5 FM, uses three transmitters located in Lazy Mountain, Sutton and Glacier View to broadcast local news within the Palmer side of the Valley. The station streams and records meetings from the city of Palmer and the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, making it possible for people to know what is going on around them within their local community.

There have also been improvements made to the transmitter on Lazy Mountain to improve audio and expand the station’s reach.

But in order for the station to continue to operate, Radio Free Palmer relies on community support, and fundraising events such as Shred the Cabbage. Fans of the station gathered to show their support by bidding on different items in the silent auction. Those in attendance also danced or just listened to the music of Weasel Gras. There was food and drink for purchase.

This was Radio Free Palmer’s second time hosting the fundraiser at Klondike Mikes. Chmielewski said it was a better venue because, although it took a few months to plan, they did not have to worry about things like food or a liquor license. It makes it more convenient even though you cannot fit as many people as some other places.

This is the only fundraising event that station does throughout the year, but Radio Free Palmer accepts donations throughout the year through the Pick Click Give program. They also accept old cars that are still worth some money as a donation. Because it is an all-volunteer radio station funds come from things like memberships, underwriting and small grants, donations really help them to keep their station on the air and in business.

The initial drive to bring a community radio station to Palmer started in 2006, according to the station’s website, and the station hit the air in 2011.