Jenny Lizak writesWhat CHIRP Means to Me: Jenny Lizak

My name is Jenny Lizak, and I'm the President of the CHIRP Board of Directors. One of my earliest memories is listening to my mom play 60's folk music on her guitar. As I grew older, I took piano lessons, sang in choirs, and eventually began competing in the radio category of the school speech team. In college, I feel in love with being on the air and sharing my music with the audience while working at the campus radio station. When I graduated college and later went on to a career in the music business, I both felt sad that radio was no longer a part of my life, and saw firsthand the high need for radio stations that play independent, local and boundary-pushing music and arts programming as part of a strong cultural community in our city.

I've been a volunteer with CHIRP Radio since its inception, seeing it grow from just a dream into what it is today - a highly acclaimed community radio station operating 365 days a year, with the help of over 200 volunteers from neighborhoods around the city of Chicago contributing their time and passion for radio. Every week, when I am on the air on Sunday afternoons, I hear from listeners who are craving CHIRP's programming - commercial-free, non-profit, independent music and interviews curated by people truly passionate about what they do. When I'm around the city at CHIRP events, I talk to listeners who tell me CHIRP is the reason they listen to radio, and how thrilled they are to have discovered their new favorite band through CHIRP. As a music business professional, I see the positive impact of CHIRP's presence in our city on the work I do every day.

That's why I'm asking you today to make a donation to CHIRP Radio, Chicago's independent community radio station, during our spring fundraising campaign to help us continue to grow and thrive. Our goal is $15,000, and I know with your help, we will hit and even surpass that mark.

If you are able, please give what you can to help us continue to provide this service this year and for years to come. We can't do it without you!