You might not know Tom Kahn, but if you’re a faithful WAMU listener, you probably know when his son was born.
Every other Wednesday for more than five years, Kahn has been a “day sponsor” on WAMU, where his personalized messages have marked everything from his engagement to his wife, economist Susana Schwartz Sanchez, to their marriage and the birth of their son, Benjamin.
Kahn, Democratic staff director on the House budget committee, decided that he needed to do something after a GOP-led Congress began to threaten NPR’s budget. So he began donating to WAMU on a regular basis, receiving the day sponsorships in return. According to WAMU, each $500 contribution entitles a donor to “sponsor” one day in which the station will run three on-air credits with a personal message. With Kahn, a Wednesday morning might bring something like this: “Today’s programs are made possible in part by Tom Kahn in honor of his wife Susy’s birthday.”
As Walt Gillette, director of individual giving at the station, explains, “Tom is unique in the sense that he’s hallmarking his life in the messages.”
“If Benjamin gets a brother or sister, that will get an announcement, too,” says Kahn, who adds that he hopes to be alive long enough to announce grandchildren someday.
This piece originally appeared in the August 2007 edition of the magazine.
WAMU: Radio Station to Some, Family Newsletter to Others
You might not know Tom Kahn, but if you’re a faithful WAMU listener, you probably know when his son was born.
Every other Wednesday for more than five years, Kahn has been a “day sponsor” on WAMU, where his personalized messages have marked everything from his engagement to his wife, economist Susana Schwartz Sanchez, to their marriage and the birth of their son, Benjamin.
Kahn, Democratic staff director on the House budget committee, decided that he needed to do something after a GOP-led Congress began to threaten NPR’s budget. So he began donating to WAMU on a regular basis, receiving the day sponsorships in return. According to WAMU, each $500 contribution entitles a donor to “sponsor” one day in which the station will run three on-air credits with a personal message. With Kahn, a Wednesday morning might bring something like this: “Today’s programs are made possible in part by Tom Kahn in honor of his wife Susy’s birthday.”
As Walt Gillette, director of individual giving at the station, explains, “Tom is unique in the sense that he’s hallmarking his life in the messages.”
“If Benjamin gets a brother or sister, that will get an announcement, too,” says Kahn, who adds that he hopes to be alive long enough to announce grandchildren someday.
This piece originally appeared in the August 2007 edition of the magazine.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Speaker Johnson’s Megabill Prayers Likely to Be Answered Before Holiday Weekend, Wrongly Deported Maryland Man Faced Abuse in El Salvador Prison, and We Found Some Yummy Nepalese Food
Pardoned J6er Will Join Ed Martin’s Justice Department Office, Trump Outlines Hypothetical Alligator Escape Plan, and We Have Fireworks Show Recommendations
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair