That's me in the yellow Reader shirt – eight years younger, shaggier, grungier, spackled with painter's putty as our group of volunteers smoothes out the drywall gaps in what will soon be an on-air studio. Next comes the paint, and the furniture, and the equipment, and the soundproofing foam. Six months later, radio DJs would take turns setting up shop in this room, playing an incredible selection of music you can't hear anywhere else, taking your requests and letting their personalities show through a live mic in between songs. When people ask me how long I've been involved with CHIRP, I can tell them without hesitation, "from the beginning." It's true.

That was 2009; this is 2017, and CHIRP Radio is on the cusp of achieving its foundational goal: we're finally able to put up a broadcast tower and beam out our signal at 107.1FM. I couldn't be prouder of what we've done and what we continue to do. This is a turning point. I've believed in CHIRP as a project and as a force for good in the world for a decade now, and you can bet I'll be here for the next decade to help carry it forward. But what comes next needs your help.

I'm raising money for CHIRP as part of our fall fundraiser to ensure that we have the resources we need to put up this tower and build the next chapter of our story – as an integral part of Chicago's culture, as a beacon for independent community media, as the way you discover your new favorite song. We can't do it without your help. Please donate and help us reach our goal.

MAKE A GIFT TO CHIRP TODAY!

CHIRP is a listener-supported, community-powered radio station—your gift makes everything we do possible!

Please make a gift supporting our fall fund drive so we can continue to bring you great music and events! Your gift will also help us launch our broadcast at 107.1FM in October 2017!

If you would like to become a sustaining member by making a recurring donation (monthy or quarterly), or select a fall campaign thank you gift, please visit CHIRP’s main donation page to make your contribution (and don’t forget to enter the name of the CHIRP Volunteer or DJ in the “How did you hear about CHIRP” section so they can receive credit for your gift!)