The anonymous donor who donated $100,000 to Little Rock Public Radio last spring donated an additional $50,000 to support KLRE Classical 90.5.
The new donation will fund equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at KLRE’s transmitter site, including replacing a transmitter damaged by a 2023 lightning strike and purchasing a refurbished building to safeguard the station’s equipment.
Little Rock Public Radio had already started work at the KLRE transmitter site by removing overgrown trees that were in danger of hitting the transmitter during storms, updating the lighting system and purchasing a backup transmitter.
“We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor, whose continued generosity demonstrates a deep commitment to preserving KLRE and its classical music legacy for future generations,” Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio, said in a press release. “This second gift allows us to complete essential equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at the transmitter site, ensuring KLRE remains a vital cultural resource for our community.”
A public service unit of UA Little Rock, Little Rock Public Radio is home to KUAR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and KUAR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.
“This second gift is incredibly meaningful to us at Little Rock Public Radio, as it reflects how deeply someone cares about preserving classical music in Arkansas,” Grace Zafasi, director of development for Little Rock Public Radio, said in the release. “Classical music may not always be commercially viable, but its cultural and emotional value is immeasurable. Support like this ensures that we can continue providing access to the arts for communities that might not otherwise have it. We are committed to being excellent stewards of this gift and look forward to bringing quality classical music to central Arkansas for generations to come.”
Sign up for Daily E-news
