Shine 104.9 Raises All-Time High During Annual Sharathon

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator



Shine 104.9 (KEEH) raised $258,752 at their annual Fall Sharathon event October 19-21. This is an all-time high for the station, surpassing last year’s record of $251,000. The funding will assist with tower rent, staff paychecks, advertising, electricity and outreach events.

“I can remember my first Sharathon here at KEEH more than 20 years ago,” shares Darin Patzer, general manager for Shine 104.9. “By the end we had raised $77,000. It seems like a lot of money, but when that’s your donation budget for the entire year, well, it made things pretty tight.”

“God has always provided year by year, to the point where today our board is able to vote a few other ministries to share the overflow with, after our own ministry needs are met,” adds Patzer. “Those gifts build bridges of friendship in the community.”

A large part of the funding comes from monthly gift partners continuing to give to the station. One donor, Sarah, shares that she discovered Shine 104.9 during a low point of her life. “I had just moved to this area, didn’t know anyone, hadn’t found a church, and on a drive to church I found Shine. I turned it on and just kept listening to the music that would minister to me. I had shed and released a lot of tears going through a divorce, and the station just ministered to me,” she says.

“During the fund drive someone gave a testimony that they were thinking of committing suicide and they turned on the radio, and it saved them. I thought, the little amount that I can give monthly, if that can save one person, then it’s worth it,” she adds.

Patzer also emphasized how the station can touch the lives of many people. “Sometimes people forget that this is an outreach ministry,” says Patzer. “Yes, the music we play is contemporary and entertaining to listen to, but also it’s encouraging and bringing people hope through the powerful lyrics, which honor God. The music itself is a tool to soften hearts so that we can pour in hope-inspiring programs and teaching directly from God’s Word.”

The station has been providing hope to the communities of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene for almost 30 years, and was recently ranked #1 across all demographics in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene market,* according to Nielsen, a radio and TV ratings service. Shine 104.9 also hosts events within the community to continue their outreach efforts and bring more people together in faith.

One such event, Be Bold for Jesus, was held the weekend immediately following the Sharathon. The event hosted nearly one thousand attendees and provided a faith-strengthening experience that featured music and presentations by Christian speakers, including former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, Shine 104. 9 will continue to broadcast Christian-contemporary content and providing listeners with ministry and a sense of God’s love.

To learn more or donate to Shine 104.9, visit shine1049.org.

*Copyright Nielsen ratings, Spring 2021, Mon-Sun, 12+