Another record-breaking year for Mix Cash and Cans

Despite dealing with the pandemic, pushing the fundraiser back one week because of a positive COVID test and plowing through a historic snowstorm, the 34th annual Mix 94.1fm Cash and Cans Money and Food Drive for the holidays had another record year with $52,799.48 raised along with thousands of pounds of non-perishable food, all donated to local organizations and non-profits to help those in need.

“When we started this in 1987, we never imagined it would grow into this,” said founder Fred Caruso who, along with morning co-host Amy Bates, accepted listener donations by broadcasting at 18 central New Hampshire locations the week of Dec. 14-18. “It’s amazing to me this fundraiser, in its 34 years, has always raised more than the year before, which enables us to help more people through the organizations that benefit from our listeners’ generosity. And, we can’t thank the business community enough. Everyone was just so generous.”

The fundraiser had to be pushed back one week due to Caruso testing positive for COVID-19. “We didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “We were prepared for anything. Our friends and listeners on social media were encouraging everyone to donate by mail, Venmo, any way possible. When I came back to work, I had a stack of cards and letters, many with donations inside. It was heartwarming.”

On the road, the Mix Morning Team had sanitary wipes and hand sanitizer and at all broadcast locations. They placed a Christmas mailbox on the hood of the Mix 94.1fm broadcast vehicle for people to place their check and monetary donations. Folks placed their food donations outside the car. And, everyone wore a mask. They wanted to make it as safe and contactless as possible.

Despite all the precautions, Mix Cash & Cans had to deal with something else…Mother Nature. The next to last day of the fundraiser, the region dealt with an historic snowstorm, which dumped 3-4 feet of snow on the area. “We lost a couple of live broadcasts that day. But, we plowed through and our listeners found us that afternoon and the final day. We had donations ranging from $6,000, to kids with their piggy bank money, to kids brining in one canned good. It truly is a grass-roots effort and we thank each and every person and business who made a donation. We live in a magical area.”

For more information about the Mix Cash & Cans Program, contact Caruso at fred@mix941fm.com. Cash and Cans donations are accepted year-round through Venmo at Mixcashandcans and checks, made payable to Mix Cash & Cans. Mix Cash & Cans is a public service of Northeast Communications Corporation, a locally owned and operated Northeast Communications Radio Group.