Radio groups from across Manitoba are rallying around wildfire evacuees, coming together for a province-wide Radiothon this Thursday, June 5 in support of the Canadian Red Cross 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal.
The Manitoba Day Of Caring For Wildfire Evacuees is modelled after a similar effort undertaken last summer in Alberta, following wildfires that devastated the community of Jasper. It went on to raise more than $2.9 million.
Manitoba has undertaken one of the largest evacuations in provincial history, with 17,000 people evacuated from Northern Manitoba, including the communities of Lynn Lake, Cross Lake, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, and Tataskwayak Cree Nation (Split Lake). In the West, an evacuation order continues for the City of Flin Flon, Schist Lake, Bakers Narrows, and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan). Fires are also being fought in the east near Bird River and the Ontario border near Ingolf.
More than 30 radio stations are participating, including those owned and operated by Golden West Broadcasting, Pattison Media, Bell Media, Corus Entertainment, Evanov Communications, and Native Communications Inc.:
AM1250 (CHML-AM) Steinbach
MIX 96.7FM (CILT-FM) Steinbach
COUNTRY 107.7FM (CJXR-FM) Steinbach
CFAM 950 Altona
EAGLE 93.5 FM (CJEL-FM) Winkler
COUNTRY 88.9FM (CKMW-FM) Winkler
CFRY 920 Portage
MIX 96.5FM (CJPG-FM) Portage
COUNTRY 93.1FM (CHPO-FM) Portage
Q Country 91.5 (CKLQ-FM) Brandon
94.7 STAR FM (CKLF-FM) Brandon
CJRB RADIO 1220 Boissevain
CHVN 95.1FM Winnipeg
CLASSIC 107.1FM (CKCL-FM) Winnipeg
QX104 (CFQX-FM) Winnipeg
ALT 94-3 (CHNW-FM) Winnipeg
680 CJOB Winnipeg
92.1 CITI (CITI-FM) Winnipeg
KiSS 102.3 (CKY-FM) Winnipeg
103.1 Virgin Radio (CKMM-FM) Winnipeg
Bounce 99.9 (CFWM-FM) Winnipeg
Bounce 96.1 (CKX-FM) Brandon
Pure Country 101 (CKXA-FM) Brandon
Power 97 (CJKR-FM) Winnipeg
Country 99 (CFPG-FM) Winnipeg
Energy 106 (CHWE-FM) Winnipeg
HOT 100.5 (CFJL-FM) Winnipeg
92.7 CKJS Winnipeg
NCI FM (CICY-FM) Manitoba
Now Country 104.7 FM (CIUR-FM) Winnipeg
“It’s amazing what can happen when we work together. It only took one email and right away, broadcasters across Manitoba were all in,” said Trev Schellenberg, Manitoba Content Lead, at Golden West Broadcasting, who is spearheading the effort. “That’s the spirit of this province—when people need help, we show up. Through this Manitoba Day of Caring for Wildfire Evacuees, we’re giving our audiences an opportunity to make a real difference for families impacted by these devastating wildfires. We’re hoping to see a big response for the Red Cross on Thursday and a powerful show of care from Manitobans.”
Listeners can participate by donating to the Red Cross, texting the word RADIO to 20222 to donate $10, and share via social media using the hashtag #MBDayofCaring.
