OSBURN ­­— Silver Valley residents who tuned their radios into KWAL last Friday got to listen in on the annual Dave Smith Radio Thon.

The fundraiser, put on by the local radio station with the help of several county officials and volunteers, has been raising money for some time now that goes toward helping several local families throughout the holidays.

Shoshone County Clerk Peggy White has organized the event for years and was blown away by the generosity of the community, as well as the generosity of Dave Smith Motors.

“We have such wonderful people here locally,” White said. “And everyone does a pretty good job of looking out for one another, but some people need a little help this time of year and that is what we try to do, whether it’s feeding people or helping them with toys and gifts. It really is wonderful how much Dave Smith Motors does for this community, aside from providing us a great local tax base, they have always been very county and community oriented and we really do appreciate all that they do for the communities in Shoshone County.”

The concept is simple and fun: just tune in and listen and call in with your donations or challenges for the county workers who will be live on the radio.

Radio guests can even be “arrested’ by local police officers who will bring people to the radio station to help raise money. In order for them to get cut-lose, they must be “bailed out” by giving a donation to the cause.

I myself had the privilege of being “arrested” by former Osburn Police Chief Spike Angle and had a terrific time down at the radio station. Thankfully, my editor came and sprung me from my cozy confines.

“What makes this fundraiser really work is that Dave Smith Motors will match every donation up to $5,000 and with this being the 13th time that they have helped with the radio-a-thon, they themselves have donated $70,000 to the community during the holiday’s over the last 14 years,” White said.

After the $5,000 match. the initial $10,000 is donated to provided food for local families, but anything more than the $10,000 gets donated to the Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program.

As of Monday afternoon, this year’s event has raised $16,701 that will go to help those in need.

I would encourage anyone who gets the chance to be a part of the Dave Smith Radio Thon to get involved, raise some money, pay to have someone arrested and just have a good time with good people.

P.S. Do not text your wife with the words, “I got arrested” and nothing else.

I’m sorry I startled you darling…You are a good sport!