Rita Bass says the local stories, connections and programming is what drew her and her husband Hugh into listening and supporting to public media.

Longtime donor Melissa Fisher Paoni said she goes to NPR for accurate, legitimate news sources and listeners need to support that work.

Longtime listener Brian Navarrete said audience members need to step up to help fund public media after it lost federal funding.

Donor Karen Penning appreciates the news she can trust that she finds on public media. She is offering a challenge during this year-end drive where she will give $50 for every first-time donor who makes a gift during December.

Listener and donor Jan Droegkamp said donating to public media is worth it because it helps the community know what's going on in their community.

Longtime listener and NPR Illinois supporter Sharron LaFollette turns to NPR Illinois for balanced news. She is offering a challenge during this year-end drive where she will gift the station $50 for the first 40 people who become sustaining members.

Donor Natalie Albers said she was motivated to give to ensure everyone has access to unbiased information and the full picture of information.

Longtime donor Nancy Sage said she tunes into NPR Illinois and supports the station because it keeps listeners informed about what is going on in the community. “Part of a community means knowing what is going on in the community and caring about what is going on in the community and NPR does an excellent job at putting the package together.”

Donor and fellow UIS employee Cathy Wilkerson said she supports NPR Illinois because it keeps her informed of every aspect of what’s going on in Springfield.

NPR Illinois supporter Todd Rettig said the station is important to him because he uses it as a source of news and information every day. He said the community needs public media because they deserve a news source that isn't driven by profit or ideology.