Sustaining Public Media Builds a Strong Community
When Susan Eidson first arrived in Las Cruces 15 years ago, she immediately sought out the local PBS and NPR stations. She first gave financial support to KRWG as a member, but became more involved over time after realizing how embedded it was in her life.
"Every radio in my house and in my car goes first to the NPR station," Susan says. "It's such a daily part of my life that I would miss it terribly if I didn't have access to it."
Susan, formerly a contemporary dancer and dance instructor at University of the District of Columbia, picked retirement in Las Cruces because it met two of her needs—having thriving public radio and television stations and having a strong university.
"I count on getting informative shows either locally or nationally that keep me apprised of multiple points of view," she says.
As a community resource, KRWG-FM is meant to be supported by the listeners, like Susan, who tune in daily.
"Even a monthly gift of just 5 to 10 dollars adds up if listeners and viewers join in on supporting KRWG," Susan says. "People will step up because they realize they can't afford to be without it."
Also invaluable to Susan are the activities she finds at NMSU, such as lectures, theater performances and basketball games.
"The university is a land-grant school, which means its mission is to reach out to the community," Susan says. "To sustain and strengthen that relationship, the community also needs to reach out to the university."
After her attendance at the NMSU Foundation's Estate Planning Conference for Women-a day full of information about how women should consider their financial legacy-Susan learned how she could continue her support of KRWG and NMSU in perpetuity through an endowment.
Now, Susan's planned gift from her estate will support KRWG, along with NMSU's Kinesiology and Dance department in the College of Education.
"Most people who acquired money have earned it and worked hard to get it. What better use of that money-after providing for your family-than to give part of it to education?" she asks. "To see it grow, and to educate those coming up behind us-what is a better use of your money?"
Create Your NMSU Legacy
Contact Steven Covington at (575) 646-3190 or (800) 342-6678 or plannedgiving@nmsufoundation.org to discover the many ways that you can follow Susan's lead and make a gift that broadcasts your passion for NMSU and KRWG.