Through the use of air waves, WOI Radio raised its second-highest amount during this year’s annual fund drive.

The station raised an estimated $250,000, which is second only to last year’s fund drive that brought in $253,000.

The fund drive was held last week and consisted of on-air solicitations, said Carol Lamb, WOI membership director and fund-drive organizer. An exact total is yet to be determined, she said.

Douglas West, former development council chair, and his wife Debra offered to donate $20 for each new member who joined on the final day of the drive. Lamb said the number of new pledges was about 100.

“We haven’t had a chance to analyze where the calls have come from, but based on the totals we’ve gotten so far, we feel pretty good about it,” said WOI business manager Don Wirth.

Lamb said the basic membership fee is $30 and $20 for those on fixed or limited incomes, such as retirees and students. The membership fee includes a “great year of radio listening” as well as a quarterly newsletter with information about the station, she said.

Lamb said the money raised through the campaign will fund daily operations of WOI’s three radio stations — WOI AM 640, WOI FM 90.1 and KTPR FM 91.1 — which are affiliated with National Public Radio.

Wirth said specifically the donations will finance everything from station operations and program acquisitions to salaries, student payrolls and equipment maintenance.

Although Lamb heads the overall game plan, Wirth said, all the station employees play a role during the fund-drive week.

“During the week of the drive, everyone puts their primary duties secondary and assists in the fund drive in some manner,” he said.

Wirth said donations account for 38 percent to 40 percent of WOI’s operating budget. Donations include the fund drive as well as mail and other campaigns throughout the year.

“Without this, we would have to change our operations rather dramatically,” Wirth said.

WOI operates on the ISU campus and is licensed by Iowa State. WOI AM, now home to news and public affairs programs, was one of the first radio stations on the air. It began 85 years ago.

WOI FM, which celebrated its 50-year anniversary last year, airs the two National Public Radio programs “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” classical music throughout the day and jazz music in the evening, Lamb said.

She said KTPR combines the news and music elements of the two other stations.

“We’re very grateful to our listeners who support us with their dollars and phone calls,” Lamb said.