Thank You Listeners & Supporters, We Love You, Too!

Dear Listeners and Supporters of KTD:

We are truly thankful for your support and enthusiasm for this radio program! In the 2 years that we have been on the air we've aired 83 one-hour programs (each on a different topic!) on 7 stations, we've had 170 guests in the studio to share their knowledge on raising Alaska's future today, and we've produced 227 featured stories, all of them examining issues that matter to Alaskan families.

What's more - every single one of those episodes (and many of the features) are still available right here on this website where about 35,000 of you have come to find out more information about raising happy and healthy Alaskan families, and to read Our Blogs, featuring original writing from Alaskans just like you.

When we announced on the air as part of this week's show that Kids These Days! would come to an end we never could have expected the kind of outpouring of comments, letters and calls that we have received from our supporters. We are so grateful and humbled to know that you care so much about Kids These Days! (the show) and the kids these days in Alaska.

Here are a few of the awesome comments you left us:

"Bring it back!! I am a faithful follower of Kids These Days that is played on our NPR channel in Anchorage, 91.1 FM.  I just learned a few days ago that KTD will be going off the air and I'm wondering why?  Is there anything we can do to keep it on air?  It has been such a valuable community service for me and my kids.  I am truly bummed to hear that it will no longer be on.  If there is anything I can do to help keep this fabulous program running, please let me know." - Carey (added 6/30)

"I'm very sorry to hear your show won't be able to continue. I really enjoyed the program and looked forward to those glorious Sunday mornings when I could just lay in bed and listen to it before starting my day. My whole family really liked it...  Thanks for all you folks did to put together a terrific program. It was an invaluable resource that deserved support enough to keep going and I really hope there's a future for it again some day." - M in Kodiak

"..the show filled a critical need to shine light on kids, families and healthy development as people. Listening to Kids These Days each week I knew I would not only learn something, but appreciate something."  - B in Anchorage

"I'm saddened to hear that you did not receive the funding necessary to continue your show. You and your team of producers has been making some great family-focused radio." - J in Dillingham

"I just caught the tail end of tonight's rebroadcast of "Kids These Days" and discovered that it was the last show. WAH! I don't have children, but for quite some time, I've thought that "Kids These Days" was the creme of the crop of our locally produced radio programs. Always well done, informative, and interesting. You will be missed... I don't even have kids and I find it really interesting. And fun." - Stephanie

"Absolutely "must listen" radio. I am heartbroken. You are my top 3 show of the week. I loved every episode. You guys are great." - Kristen

"Thanks for all you've done to promote healthy parenting, healthy kids, and the Alaska lifestyle!" - Erin

"No! Our communities need you!" - Shena

"As an involved father I often feel my voice and experience is not heard or recognized. Thank you Sarah and KTD for giving me this outlet and strong platform of support!" - Steve

"I LOVE your show. I was a loyal listener. I hope funding makes it possible for KTD to be on the air again soon. You guys did amazing radio. Thank you." - Laura

"So sad to see you all go. We love your show and look forward to keeping up with you on KidsTheseDays.org." - AK Center for Pediatrics

"We will miss you!! Kids These Days is such an awesome show! Thank you for all your great work!" - AYEA Teens

Without our listeners' feedback, show suggestions, and input when we called upon you for your thoughts, KTD would not have been the success that it has been. The awards we won over the last 2 years were terrific honors, and we absolutely couldn't have been award-worthy without our huge team of informal advisors, the board of directors at Content Producers Guild, the amazing staff at KSKA and APRN, all the freelance reporters who shared their stories, our slate of talented and brave bloggers and our own families, of course.

Mostly, we want to shine the light of gratitude on our number one supporter and funder: The Association of Alaska School Boards Inititiative for Community Engagement program (Alaska ICE), with extra special thanks to Sally Rue and Steve Nelson. Alaska ICE has consistently funded programs that make a huge impact in their communities and we applaud them for having the vision to see that media can have a healthy impact while helping to create a positive culture in which to raise healthy children. Bravo to Alaska ICE!

So, what's next for Kids These Days!, you ask? Right now we are exploring alternate avenues to keep some incarnation of KTD going on the air and/or online here at KidsTheseDays.org. You have not heard the last from us! Stay tuned to Kids These Days! and we will do our very best to stay tuned to our communities, continuing to report on relevant topics while starting the important conversations that matter to Alaskan families.

And thanks, everyone, we love you, too!

- Team KTD