These efforts have not gone unnoticed. Shown below Connie Skillingstad, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, and Paul Bunyan Broadcasting Co. owners, Lou Buron and Mary Campbell, accept the "Radio Partnership Award" from Deborah Norville, host of "Inside Edition" and FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, during the 10^th Annual National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation's "Service to America" Celebration held last summer in Washington, DC.

The Radio Partnership Award was presented to Omni Broadcasting Company (Paul Bunyan Broadcasting's parent company) and Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota for the Radiothon to End Child Abuse. It acknowledges their partnering since 1989 to raise more than 2 million dollars in Bemidji, Alexandria, Brainerd and Wadena during the Radiothon heard on their 13 stations in those markets.

Only one radio station (there are more than 11,000 radio stations in the country) in the United States received this award. Omni Broadcasting also received this award during the inaugural Service to America Event held in 1999. Service to America honors radio and television stations across the country for their exceptional public service contributions.

And locally, in November 2008, Beltrami Electric Cooperative named Paul Bunyan Broadcasting's Radiothon to End Child Abuse as the recipient of their Touchstone Energy Community Award. The award was given for Paul Bunyan Broadcasting's strong commitment to their community and their annual Radiothon to End Child Abuse.

As a result of this award, $500 was donated to the Radiothon to End Child Abuse.

Lou and Mary believe working together we WILL make a difference in the lives of our children, and invite you to participate in next year's 23^rd Annual Radiothon to End Child Abuse. They have been humbled by the outpouring of support during the past 22 years and want to thank everyone for this support and encouragement.

It shouldn't hurt to be a child!