UWindsor campus-community radio station CJAM FM couldn’t operate without donations. Its annual “We Are CJAM” pledge drive fundraiser will run October 28 to November 4.

Station manager Brady Holek says that CJAM relies heavily on contributions from its listeners. This year’s goal is to raise $40,000, or the equivalent of 25 per cent of the station’s annual budget.

“Being a hyper-focused campus-community radio station allows us to provide news and music you won’t hear anywhere else in the Windsor-Detroit area,” says Holek. “Pledge drive is integral to our operations. Without yearly support from listeners, CJAM FM would not exist today.”

This year, CJAM is offering incentives for those who wish to make a pledge: $5 earns a sticker, $10-20 a music prize pack, $50 a CJAM t-shirt, while $100 will garner a sweatshirt. In addition, the radio station will host three concerts at $5 each, with proceeds going to “We Are CJAM.”

The pledge drive will kick off Thursday with a concert at the Rondo featuring Zarasutra, Border Patrol, and James O-L and the Villains. Doors open at 9 p.m. and music starts at 10 p.m.

On November 5, the Beer Exchange will host a performance by rock bands Poughboy and Silent Movie Type. Doors open at 10 p.m. and music starts at 11 p.m.

The pledge drive will wrap up on November 12 with a concert at the UFO Factory in Detroit. The event will feature performances from the local band Soul Brother Stef and Dante LaSalle, an American hip hop musician. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. and music starts at 11:30 p.m.

Holek says the show at the UFO Factory is important because a great number of the station’s listeners are in Detroit.

“We have been trying to reach to reach out into the Detroit community and are more involved than ever, emceeing concerts and events and broadcasting with more Detroit hosts than ever before,” says Holek.

Pledges can be made by calling 519-971-3630 or online. For more info, visit CJAM’s website or Facebook Page.

—Loren Mastracci