Wayne State College’s student-run radio station, KWSC 91.9 The Cat, will host a 24-hour live stream event to raise money for Wayne’s Haven House starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 and ending at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 26.
The stream will exclusively take place on the platform Twitch, a live streaming social platform which allows viewers to watch and engage with broadcasts worldwide, similar to radio broadcasting but with the added element of video. The station’s Twitch can be found at the link www.twitch.tv/KWSC.
After following the link during any time within the 24-hour period, viewers will watch WSC students participate in an array of events. These include playing video games, a spicy food eating contest, watching movies, doing art, baking and much more.
Senior Nathan Reiland-Smith, who has directed the stream for the last two years, plans to stay up for the entire 24 hours, working both on and off the camera.
“We’re trying to get a lot of variety,” Reiland-Smith said. “Last year, we had everything from a piano performance to listening to a special episode of our Acknowledge podcast. We have a lot of people in the radio station who are coming up with new and interesting ideas- tapping into what they are particularly passionate about. Hopefully, it will strike a chord with the audience.”
Students will also present informational material about Haven House in hopes of increasing awareness of the nonprofit’s services and impact in the community. According to its website, this organization works to support survivors of domestic violence through social action, education, empowerment, and support services.
KWSC invites all viewers to donate to Haven House through PayPal or Venmo, which they can find on-screen during the event.
Reiland-Smith said he has worked diligently this semester to collaborate with Wayne-area businesses to increase the money raised for Haven House. Businesses who donate will receive special recognition during the stream.
“We hope to give recognition to the companies that do donate to Haven House during this time and let the community know the companies that appreciate Haven House and can understand the importance of it,” Reiland-Smith said.
The radio station has actively worked with Haven House for years but has only begun using Twitch recently. Previously, the event was held over the radio with “home base” at the Prime Stop gas station, also known as “Wayne East.”
Twitch has allowed the station to ask for donations more broadly. The Federal Communications Commission has extremely strict rules about wording and “calls-to-action" regarding money and donations, Reiland-Smith said.
“Although we have changed in the last two years how we are raising money for Haven House, we have not changed who we are raising money for,” Reiland-Smith said. “We are still raising money for an organization that runs off the support of the community. Hopefully, this will bring light to their services and help them to continue to provide excellent care.”
Last year, the event raised approximately $850. KWSC hopes this year’s number will reach over $1,000.
If you are a business looking to donate to Haven House or take part in this 24-hour event, contact the KWSC radio station at 402-375-7421 or email Reiland-Smith at nareil01@wsc.edu.
