This was not how we planned to spend our 10th anniversary year.

Instead of hosting parties and open studios, all CHIRP DJs have been alone in the CHIRP space as they've done their shows throughout this pandemic, but they've been live, providing some valuable sense of connection at a time when it's been easy to feel disconnected.

I'm so grateful to all the wonderful hosts who've continued to come in week after week, sticking so carefully to our 20-point disinfection process before and after every shift, performing this essential service. We've always said radio, done well, can make you feel slightly less alone in the world, and this year has certainly been a test of that.

I think we've done a good job.

I never expected so much of my job to be sourcing disinfectant products. I never anticipated running a radio station in a global pandemic. Yet here we are.

I hope the service we provide has given you some comfort, helped you stay in touch with the local artists and venues you care about. I hope we've provided you with valuable information about how you can support great organizations in the fight for racial justice. And I hope there have been moments when we have, in fact, helped you feel less alone and more part of this vibrant, supportive, ever-recreating-itself independent music community we are lucky enough to have in Chicago.

If you support and believe in this work, and if you are able, I hope you'll give today to help ensure we can continue this work for decades to come. Thank you.

We've been here for you throughout this challenging year - now, we need you to be here for us!

This wasn't how we anticipated spending our tenth anniversary year. Instead of parties and open studio events, we've spent the last six months, one DJ at a time in a carefully disinfected studio, keeping you connected while we all worked to stay safe. We've worked hard to amplify the voices of local artists who can't play live and local venues who were first to close, and to help you feel less alone at a time when it's easy to feel distant from your community.

But we've been hanging in there, and we hope you have too. We're still here every single day, live and local, commercial-free, with great music brought to you by true music fans. If you believe in this work, and if you're able, we hope you'll support the station with a gift today.

If you would like to become a sustaining member by making a recurring donation (monthly or quarterly), or if you want to select a 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).