Written By: Hailey Johnson
At the 2024 Celebration of Service to America Awards, two Georgia stations, WANF-TV (Atlanta News First) and WFSH-FM (104.7 The Fish) took home awards.
The Celebration of Service to America Awards is hosted by the National Association Bureau (NAB) Leadership Foundation. The award ceremony is aimed at recognizing local television and radio stations and honoring their commitment to serving their communities.
“This is the most important award to be recognized with,” said Bob Houghton, president of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters. “Nothing compares to the significance of this award. This is a very rare and major victory for the state. We haven’t had a winner since 2019, and to have two stations be recognized this year is outstanding.”
Finalists were placed into eight different categories, which included the Service to Community Award: Radio Small Market, Television Small Market; Service to Community Award: Radio Medium Market, Television Medium Market; Service to Community Award: Radio Large, Television Large Market; Service to Community Award: Radio Ownership Group, Television Ownership Group.
This year 20 finalists were recognized and seven winners were selected, with Atlanta News First being awarded the Service to Community Award for Television Large Market and 104.7 The Fish taking home the Service to Community Award for Radio Large Market.
According to the Celebration of Service to America Awards, to win this award, “WANF-TV investigated seizures of cash at airport gates across the United States by DEA agents who were taking money from passengers, even when no drugs or evidence was found. As a result of the investigation, House Resolution 1525, known as the FAIR Act, has 18 cosponsors and bipartisan support in reaching the House floor.”
The Celebration of Service to America Awards says, “Acts of Love” encourages listeners to nominate a person in need, and the community team at WFSH-FM delivers well-deserved support, donations, and gifts.
In 2023, 340 wishes were granted, putting more than $500,000 in the community equaling 93 months’ worth of mortgage/rent payments, 11 adaptive bikes for children with special needs ($4,000-plus per bike), $18,550 worth of groceries and furnishings for three homes ($12,000-plus).”
“We were honored to accept this recognition on behalf of the 104.7 The Fish listening community, and of each member of our Salem-Atlanta team. At The Fish we work to build community by sharing songs and stories that encourage and uplift our listeners’ lives,” said Val Carolin, Regional Vice President and General Manager at Salem Media Group. “We feel humbled to play a small part in enhancing our community and in helping to improve the lives of those around us.”
The awards won by WANF-TV and WFSH-TV show the vital role that broadcasters play in serving the community. The GAB would like to recognize and congratulate these stations on their outstanding commitment and contribution to their communities.
