Radio station honors community
Radio Campesina was inspired by union leader Cesar Chavez
BY EDUARDO STANLEY
estanley@visalia.gannett.com
Cesar Chavez didn’t launch Visalia’s Radio Campesina station 25 years ago, but the co-founder of the United Farm Workers union had a definite influence.
"We wanted it to be in the spirit of Cesar Chavez," said Jerome Miranda, director of public relations for nonprofit KUFW-90.5 FM. "He gave so much to the community, and … we believe it’s a way to give back some of that."
The Visalia operation is one of nine Radio Campesina stations. Their purpose: Offer educational programming in communities with large numbers of farm workers and recent immigrants.
Only the Visalia station is a nonprofit enterprise.
Helping farm workers
As part of the station’s anniversary celebration, Radio Campesina will honor citizens who have improved the lives of farm workers. The Friday event also will serve as a fundraiser for the station and National Farm Workers Service Center projects.
"[Listeners] see us as a resource, as a place of contact more than as a radio station," Miranda said. "We’ve had great support from the community to keep this station going during these years."
Miranda is a Tulare native who got his start at Radio Campesina in Bakersfield in 2003. He moved from sales to public relations before coming to Visalia.
"I always thought I would live here," he said. "I like this community, and my family is here."
How to attend
What: 2008 Service with a Heart Awards ceremony
When: 11 a.m. Friday
Where: Visalia Convention Center
Winners: Gil Jaramillo, E. Sheli Silva, Steven Debus, Maria Martinez, Eloysa Segura, Luis Bautista, Maria "Anita" De La Vega, Sequoia Beverage and Proteus Inc.
Information: Radio Campesina, 622-9401