Partnership Profile: IHeartMedia supports service members through community grant

The USO Illinois’s mission is to not only provide programs and services to military in Illinois, but also to be a bridge between the civilian and military communities. IHeartMedia Chicago, one of the largest Chicago radio broadcasters with nearly 5 million weekly radio listeners, supports the Chicagoland community through yearly grants to nonprofits within the community. This summer, the USO Illinois was proud to partner with IHeartMedia’s Big95.5 to support service members and their families in the Chicagoland area through their community grant.

“We are committed to using our resources and on-air personalities to create awareness about the services available from these partners and other nonprofit organizations in our local community,” said Matt Scarano, Market President for iHeartMedia Chicago. On May 27th, Big95.5 and Kip Moore opened the doors at Joe’s Live Rosemont to 30 military families for Big95.5’s Code of Honor concert series. The service members were treated to a suite and were honored on stage during the concert.

From June to August, the USO Illinois was the community grant recipient from IHeartMedia and Big95.5. The station promoted the USO’s summer fundraising events such as USO BBQ for the Troops and Clark After Dark. The promotions totaled $201,500 in in-kind media for the USO Illinois. Big95.5 talent, Chase in the Truck, also visited the USO BBQ for the Troops kick-off event and did live coverage of Clark After Dark.

Alison Ruble, President & CEO of USO Illinois, was invited to speak on both Brooke Hunter’s and Darryl Dennards Community Affairs show to raise awareness of the work that the USO Illinois does in the community. To listen to the full interviews, click here.

Thank you to Big95.5 and IHeartMedia for being dedicated to the lives of our service members and their families!

Published October 27, 2016