You
Punching above your way.
No, that's not what that means.
Do you want the honest answer?
I want to hear your explanation.
The Peter Principle says that in steady state,
everyone is incompetent at their job.
Because if you are competent, you get promoted.
And so you get promoted.
You
Go
Do
do
Do
do
Do
I've rescued the entire organization.
That's what I've been.
They're never going to go in the backup, so you can see how that works.
Emma.
Were you going to say something earlier?
Oh, I was going to say I'm Katie's going to bring a new...
She's re-printing that she's made.
I don't know if you talked right about that.
Oh, yes.
Because we had extra things to get levels on that.
But then you were going to say something to people.
Say something to...
Oh, I think I was just going to say that it's not...
We're never kidding tonight.
So it's December 1st.
First, right? Yes.
Don't know.
Don't even know.
December 1st.
Snowy winter in Wisconsin.
So I could have left my holiday clothes on.
I was like, wait a second.
I can't wear what I...
I realized as I was walking out the door this morning that I needed a different shirt
because I had on like a play I'd had band and like a...
And I was like, oh no.
I mean Mr. Rogers.
Although we are Mr. Rogers.
Um, there.
Anyway.
We're meeting Mr. Rogers.
That would be something.
Yeah, we're going to...
Wait, what?
Just like...
Mm-hmm.
Wow.
Um, what else?
Uh, yeah.
And then, um, Eva.
Morning, saying, yeah, I really wanted abortion.
I don't think anyone ever wakes up thinking they're excited to do that.
And so what we want to do is we want to coach them.
Then they can kind of pause, think about it, make a logical decision of, yeah, maybe I...
Maybe I shouldn't go through with this abortion.
Westbrook says they served around 1,100 women last year and on average helped four to five people per day.
Our goal is to create a family unit that the child would be in a good spot to go into, to be born into.
The center offers pregnancy and STI testing, ultrasounds and pregnancy coaching.
Westbrook says that work is made possible because of private donors.
In Missouri, residents receive a 70% tax credit when they donate to groups like Coalition Life.
Last year, the state approved $11 million in these tax credits.
That's on top of the state's long-running alternatives to abortion program, which received more than $8 million in 2024.
It certainly does help.
It helps our donors, for sure.
They become a little bit more generous.
But I try to stay away from government, funny as much as we possibly can.
For some pregnancy centers, that's fantastic for them.
For us, we want to be able to operate as independently as humanly possible,
and we know that a lot of government funding comes with a lot of strengths.
Missouri is not alone.
From 2021 to 2024, anti-abortion centers in at least 21 states received funding through grants, state programs, budget allocations, or tax credits.
Carrie Baker says even in states where abortion is legal, crisis pregnancy centers are hard to hold accountable.
Just like a church can say whatever it wants on a Sunday morning, they're like, we're like a church.
We can say whatever we want.
We don't charge for our services so we can't be regulated.
We don't have to reveal any information.
But that may be changing in Massachusetts.
Last year, a CPC in Worcester settled a lawsuit that alleged a nurse failed to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
That's when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, a condition that is dangerous if left untreated.
The woman survived but needed emergency surgery for massive internal bleeding.
Whether you need pregnancy care or abortion care, avoid anti-abortion centers.
That summer, Governor Maura Healy, a Democrat, launched a $1 million education campaign to discourage residents from going to CPCs.
In order to get at anti-abortion centers at this very real problem and threat to the health and safety of a lot of people,
we have to do it in a way that does not run afoul of the First Amendment.
That's hard to do.
Democratic state Senator Becca Roush authored a bill requiring a licensed healthcare professional to supervise any ultrasound related to a pregnancy.
It was signed into law last year.
Because of search engines and algorithms and money, a lot of times, the first places that pop up are these anti-abortion centers.
But if they can't provide any ultrasound services because it's illegal in Massachusetts for them to do so,
because they lack a license and the appropriate training to do so safely and accurately, then that doesn't happen at the get-go.
But some groups are pushing back.
Your options medical, which runs centers in eastern Massachusetts, is suing the state.
Saying its education campaign violates the group's free speech and equal protection rights.
This experience has been...
Emma.
NewsHour starts at six, right?
It did not have the effect that they wanted it to in so many ways.
Weeks after her CPC appointment, Hannah was able to get abortion care at a licensed clinic near Boston.
She says the ordeal inspired her to study reproductive health and policy.
Class of 2025, we made it!
This May, she graduated with a degree in public health.
She says,
Hi, I'm David Hofford, a volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin, here with you to kick off PBS Wisconsin's December membership drive.
You are probably aware that 2025 has been a challenging year for public media with the elimination of federal funding.
You're also probably aware that Wisconsin invented public broadcasting over 100 years ago.
So services like PBS Wisconsin have been around before there was federal funding, while there
was federal funding, and will continue even into this new era of public broadcasting.
But what I want to talk to you about tonight is the idea of a pair of commitments.
Here's our commitment to you.
We are going to continue to bring you the quality programming you have come to rely on, no matter
what the financial landscape is.
And we're going to do that in partnership with you when you make a commitment to us
to be part of the financing for public media.
Give us a call right now, 1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Regina Boulotti, a volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin.
And when you make your gift now, you are helping to help keep the coverage that you love going
in the year to come.
So when you become a member at $10 a month, we will gift you with this fantastic PBS Wisconsin
winter hat.
So it's that PBS blue that we all know and love, especially perfect for a cozy evening
like tonight, where it's very snowy outside at $12 a month.
We will gift you with a book with writings about the U.S. Constitution, different ways
it's interpreted, which at this point in time is such an important thing to have.
At $15 a month, we'll gift you with a PBS Wisconsin insulated mug.
And at $20 a month, we'll gift you with the hat, the Constitution book, and the mug.
So give us a call at 800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Michael Bergman.
I'm a volunteer here as well.
I'm pleased to be with you this evening and to say thank you to all of you who watch and
support PBS Wisconsin.
But I especially want to draw your attention to our sustainers.
Sustainers are people who make a monthly commitment to PBS Wisconsin with a regular donation given
every month from their checking account or their charge card, whatever.
You set up the method you prefer.
And it's one way of making sure that there's some stability and continuity to funding not
only on your side, as in terms of your own finances, but also on the side of public television.
And stability and continuity are really important ideas in these uncertain times for public
broadcasting, but it's something you can do.
I'm a sustainer because it makes my life simpler, quite frankly, and I get to choose how much
to give.
I can choose to raise it, lower it, stop it if I want to, I won't.
But you can become a sustaining member as well.
You can do that by calling the number on your screen.
You could also increase your amount by calling 800-236-3636.
You know, there's a very long list of programs on PBS Wisconsin that represent the value
that this service provides to you.
But certainly, PBS NewsHour is on that list because it is a source of trusted independent
journalism, right?
It is going to tell you the truth, whether it's the truth that you want to hear or not.
And I say something like this every time I'm on here with you for PBS NewsHour, but it
doesn't feel more and more true every single time.
Now we have AI that is so seductively easy to ask questions of, and yet you realize
that it's basically telling you what you want to hear.
We need services like PBS NewsHour that give us that broader perspective.
Enable us to have conversations with people who feel differently than we do based on facts.
That's what you are supporting when you call 1-800-236-3636.
And you know, the quality of PBS Wisconsin support is built on members like you and gifts
that you make every day.
So when you become a member at $10 a month, we will give you this fantastic winter hat.
It's that great PBS blue, the little puff on top.
And remember that that gift makes such an impact in the coverage that we're able to continue
to provide.
At $12 a month, we will gift you with the U.S. Constitution book and writings of it.
It's a leather-bound, beautiful book, something that will allow you, as you converse with
others, to really engage in those materials.
At $15 a month, we will gift you with a little ray of sunshine with this yellow insulated
PBS Wisconsin mug.
And at $20 a month, you will receive the hat, the Constitution book, and that insulated
PBS Wisconsin mug.
So now is the time.
If you're not a member, do it today at $800-236-3636.
And when you are a member of PBS Wisconsin at any of our suggested levels, there comes
with certain benefits.
Of course, the key benefit is the great programs that we bring to you day after day, week after
week, year after year.
But there are additional benefits as well, including PBS Wisconsin, which is a very useful
guide to the schedule each month on PBS Wisconsin, as well as what's new, some behind-the-scenes
things as well.
It's a very useful and interesting publication.
I make sure I look at it every month, before the month starts, so that I'm ready for the
month ahead.
Another real benefit is PBS Passport.
It's an online service that you would have access to that has all kinds of programs, some
of which you're familiar with from PBS Wisconsin, some of which you may not be.
These are programs from countries all around the world.
And it's an interesting and fascinating place for additional viewing of quality television
programs.
You can do the passport, you'll get airways when you call us, at $800-236-3636.
So we've been talking about the value that PBS NewsHour provides in terms of being based
in fact.
So here's a fact for you.
There are tens of thousands of Wisconsin families that support PBS Wisconsin.
Now a question.
Are you one of them?
This is a critical moment.
You know the stakes.
And we're asking you to join this community in making this kind of programming possible.
It all starts with you.
It starts with each of us.
The number to call is 1-800-236-3636.
You can also go online to PBSWisconsin.org.
Please make a pledge of support right now.
Hi, I'm David Hoffer to volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin.
I grew up watching Mr. Rogers and I can almost guarantee you someone in your life did as
well.
And that's why we're here taking a brief break from this incredibly moving program to ask
you to make a pledge of financial support to allow PBS Wisconsin to continue bringing
programs like Mr. Rogers, which are still on the air more than 20 years after he passed
away, but on weekends and many other educational programs as well to children across Wisconsin.
The numbers are on your screen 1-800-236-3636.
And you know a very appropriate point to break in here right after we saw Mr. Rogers singing
a song with Jeff Erlanger, who was from Madison, Wisconsin.
And what an interesting connection that is and what an impact that relationship has had
on the Wisconsin community over the years as well.
It's all about community.
And the way public media works, that community includes you when you call 1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Regina Boulotti, a volunteer with PBS Wisconsin and it's so wonderful to be
with you here this evening.
You know, families across the country have been tuning in since 1968 to Mr. Rogers.
And his lessons continue to resonate with people even today.
So if you aren't a sustainer, I hope you'll become one tonight so we can continue to bring
these high-quality programs to every household across Wisconsin.
When you become a sustainer at $10 a month, we'll gift you with the four-disc DVD set,
The Kindness Collection for with Mr. Rogers, which features 30 incredible episodes that
you can revisit with a child in your life.
At $15 a month, we have a fantastic book this beautiful day with 365 reflections with insights
from Mr. Rogers and also a fantastic sweater-changing mug.
And then at $20 a month, you'll get that four DVD set, the book, the mug, and the DVD of
the show that we are watching now.
So give us a call at 800-236-3636.
Fred Rogers introduced a whole lot of ideas and concepts that had not been seen on television
for the most part and certainly not in children's television.
And he did it for a remarkable 33 years and he never lost his touch.
He was a unique person, a unique personality and a unique presence on public broadcasting
for more than three decades.
He represents the kind of wonderful stuff that you can still find on PBS Wisconsin in
many different ways.
And it's a good reason to remember when you make your call of support to PBS Wisconsin
and become a financial supporter of the kinds of programs like this and the programs we
continue to do and will continue to do in the future.
You can help support all of that with your pledge of support and your financial contribution
to PBS Wisconsin at 800-236-3636.
It's kind of amazing to think about how talented Fred Rogers was, right?
Obviously he was the host of that show, he was also the producer of that show, the writer.
He was the voice of most of those puppets.
I mean, every aspect of that show was this man's vision.
But the most important thing that Fred Rogers gave to society was a program that was about
children not from the perspective of adults, not how adults see children, how children
feel children.
And that is so unique.
That's what makes it something that was only ever going to be on PBS.
And so when you call, you are supporting that kind of idea that is only possible when
it is funded by you.
Give us a call, 1-800-236-3636.
And you know, those lessons that Mr. Rogers brought into households and talked with kids
at their level, those lessons just continue to resonate with kids even today.
So you can help his legacy continue when you make a gift now.
So when you become a sustainer at $10 a month, again, we'll send you that fantastic kindness
collection DVD set with that, all those lessons that he talks about, whether it comes winning
and losing and how to handle that, or how to express yourself with music.
There's so many wonderful things and little tidbits that you can share with a child in
your life, especially here during the holidays.
So at that $15 a month level, we'll send you this fantastic book, this beautiful day
with daily wisdom from Mr. Rogers, as well as that sweater color-changing mug.
And then at $20 a month, we'll send you the DVD set, the book, the mug, and again, the
episode that you're watching here tonight.
So give us a call at 800-236-3636.
Regina mentioned several of the benefits that you get with your membership in PBS Wisconsin.
Another one is PBS Passport.
If you join at any of these levels, you will have access to streaming programs on PBS Passport.
And it's full of all kinds of wonderful stuff.
There are programs you may be familiar with, for example, Ms. Scarlett is one of the offerings
on PBS Passport.
And maybe you've seen it, maybe you'd like to see it again, or maybe you missed an episode.
It's there on PBS Passport.
But there's a lot of things that haven't made it to the air and aren't likely to make it
to the air.
So a lot of programs from countries around the world and so on.
It's really a wonderful mix of additional content, additional television viewing, all
of which is excellent, that you can access with PBS Passport.
And you can do that when you call and show your support at these suggested levels at
800-236-3636.
What really stands out to me watching the clips in this show tonight is how unique of
a program Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood was.
I have a son who, as of yesterday, is eight years old.
Happy birthday, buddy, although I hope you're in bed by now.
And he has recently discovered that on our smart TV, there are apps other than PBS kids.
Specifically, he has started watching reruns of Power Rangers, which I will admit has a
bit of nostalgia for me.
But I'm watching these episodes with him and I compare that to what I'm seeing tonight.
And Mr. Rogers is unlike any other children's programming in terms of the educational content,
the emotional content, the moral content.
And that is made possible by support from our community.
Power Rangers had commercial sponsorships.
Fred Rogers didn't.
Fred Rogers was responding to the needs of his community in a very particular way.
And you can be part of that when you call 1-800-236-3636.
And you know, I like David to have two little boys at home who love watching PBS Wisconsin.
And I had that same thought as I was sitting watching this episode of what wonderful messages
Mr. Rogers had to share and how to tackle difficult conversations.
So if this is something that you relate to, I hope you'll consider giving us a call and
becoming a sustainer tonight.
At the $10 a month level, we'll send you that 4 DVD set, that kindness collection, where
Mr. Rogers tackles all sorts of important topics.
And then at the $15 a month level, you will get those 365 reflections with Mr. Rogers
as well as that sweater, color changing mug, one that requires great care.
So make sure that you don't put it in the dishwasher.
And then at $20 a month, we'll send you that 4 DVD set, the book, the mug, and tonight's
episode that you're enjoying with us now.
So give us a call 800-236-3636 or pbswisconsin.org.
All right, we're going to go back to the program now and show you more of Mr. Rogers.
Let me just end briefly on a sober note.
You are probably aware that federal funding for public media was eliminated this year.
And that is a whole new challenge for PBS Wisconsin, that we are rising to the occasion
with your help.
But if there's one thing that Fred Rogers taught us, it was that a strong community can
do anything.
So this is the time for us to come together and make sure that PBS Wisconsin stays strong
and call that number, 1-800-236-3636.
Thank you.
Hi, I'm David Hoffer to volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin.
Here's tonight celebrating with you the impact and the legacy of Fred Rogers, a teacher,
an advocate, an author, a television icon, and most importantly, a friend.
And a friend that came to millions of children across the country, thousands, maybe even millions
of children in Wisconsin, including me, for decades.
And only on PBS, only because of the support of viewers like you.
And we want to kick up that celebration a notch during this break.
Oh, hold on one second, because we're going to do a challenge break.
Yes, we caught it.
Now a challenge break means that when you call 1-800-236, this is really awkward now,
only having one shoe on.
When you call that number on your screen, any donation you make will be doubled by friends
of public media during this break.
So give us a call.
We're going for 30 calls during this break, 1-800-236-3636.
And you know, if you grew up with Mr. Rogers like I did, it's hard not to get a little
bit emotional when you see all of these examples of compassion and warmth.
They just really resonate and you can help continue to bring these two children for generations
to come.
So at the $10 a month level, we'll gift you with that 4 DVD set with the kindness collection.
And there's been a little bit of excitement in here tonight because we have tried out
the mug that you get at the $15 a month level and he does indeed change color.
So his jacket is blue when it's cold and it turns yellow.
You can see as it gets warmed up.
So again, not dishwasher safe, take good care.
But that is what we will thank you with at the $15 a month level.
And then at the $20 a month level, you will get that 4 DVD set, the book, the mug and
the DVD of tonight's program.
So if you haven't called us yet tonight, please give us a call at 800-236-3636.
And remember this is a challenge break, which means the value of your contribution to PBS
Wisconsin is doubled thanks to a challenge fund that we have set up with existing members
of PBS Wisconsin.
We've had four calls on our way to 30 calls.
I'm sure we can make it.
And we'll make it when you call the number that's on your screen and show your support
for PBS Wisconsin.
You know, Fred Rogers is an icon of public television and he influenced a whole lot of
people for the better in the 33 years that his program was on the air.
You can influence people for the better in your own way too by supporting public television.
Because it's a kind of organization and system and the programs we have, help us understand
each other locally and around the world.
So if that's the kind of thing you like on TV, then you should call, support it at 800-236-3636.
So we are up to five calls going for 30.
I'm very happy to hear that we're starting off hot because that means that you care about
the legacy of Fred Rogers on PBS and I can certainly understand why.
You know, now that I'm a parent, you know, obviously I valued Mr. Rogers as a child,
but I also now appreciate how much he did to teach adults how to talk to children.
You know, there are some scary things in the world.
There are some bad things that happen that it can be hard even for adults to comprehend.
Even Fred Rogers struggled, you know, he died in 2003 and I remember reading in those
last couple of years about how much he struggled with understanding the September 11th terrorist
attacks, but he left us with so much wisdom that is applicable to this day.
For example, he said, look for the helpers and you know what we're doing in the studio
right now?
We are listening for the helpers because we can hear those phones ringing and that means
that you care.
We've got six calls, we need 24 more, give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
That line, look for the helpers.
I know I think about it all the time when I'm talking to my little boys and what a way
it just helps carry his legacy on and we've talked so much about that this evening and
our thank you gifts tonight really allow you to embody those messages and those important
topics that Fred Rogers shared and carry them into the next generations.
So when you make a gift at $10 a month, we'll send you that kindness collection, that
four DVD set that covers all kinds of important topics, winning and losing, ups and downs
of friendship, different arts with music and crayon making, all kinds of great things.
Along with that, at the $15 a month level, you'll get the sweater color changing mug
as well as the book and I wanted to share one of the daily reflections which is I think
the most important part about communicating is the listening we do beforehand.
When we can truly respect what someone brings to what we're offering, it makes the communication
all the more meaningful.
So give us a call and then don't forget at that $20 a month level, you'll get that four
DVD set, the book, the mug and the DVD of tonight's program.
Give us a call 800-236-3636.
As a viewer of public television, you are undoubtedly aware that federal funding for
public media no longer exists, it's been taken away and stations and organizations are responding
in different ways.
It's a challenging time for public television and public radio as well.
But you know the extent of the impact on PBS Wisconsin, it's going to depend on a number
of things but most importantly, it's going to depend on you as a member.
Members have always been the largest support for financial support for PBS Wisconsin and
that will continue to be the case.
In fact, it's like to become even more important that individuals, families and organizations
support PBS Wisconsin directly.
And this is one of those opportunities when you can do so by calling one of the volunteers
who's in the studio tonight who really would like to talk to you.
We've had seven calls on our goal, way to a goal of 30 calls during this break so please
call now 800-236-3636.
Now there's a really important nuance to what Michael just told you.
It is true that members make up the largest share of funding for PBS Wisconsin but it's
not one big donation.
It's individual small donations spread across tens of thousands of people in the state
of Wisconsin and beyond the borders for that matter that make that possible.
And that really is the community idea that Fred Rogers was all about.
It doesn't matter if you can give $100 a month, that's wonderful and I hope you will.
If you can afford to give $5 a month, that is equally wonderful and I hope that you will.
And when you do it during this break, that money will be doubled.
So what I'm going to say to you is, won't you please, please, won't you please, please
won't you have your money doubled when you call 100-3636-36, it didn't work very well
did it.
Oh, PBS Wisconsin really, that was wonderful.
PBS Wisconsin really relies on viewers like you so we can continue to come into your living
room and sing you beautiful songs like this.
And Mr. Rogers, these topics are so important and his legacy continues.
And so when you make a gift at $10 a month, we will gift you with that four DVD set,
that kindness collection.
Now is a great time of year.
You can gift it to a friend or family member at $15 a month will send you this beautiful
day.
Again, makes a beautiful gift, these reflections I've been reading and flipping through here.
There's just somewhat really wonderful messages to share.
And at $20 a month, we'll send you the DVD set, the book, the mug, and the DVD of tonight's
program.
So if you are a fan of Mr. Rogers, I hope you'll give us a call at 800-236-3636.
And one of the real benefits of becoming a supporter, a member of PBS Wisconsin, is receiving
airwaves every month throughout the year, throughout the term of your membership.
However long that may be.
It's a very useful guide, fundamentally, it's a schedule of the programs which gives you
an advanced look at what's coming to the air every month, and it's true of all three
broadcast channels.
But it also gives you some behind the scenes information, highlights what's new, some of
the projects and programs that are coming your way.
So this particular issue is about the new documentary Bucky, and there's a little Q&A with somebody
who was Bucky for three years recently.
And that's just another little added benefit, a touch, a little something extra when you
call and show your support of PBS Wisconsin Airwaves Magazine, a real benefit and a real
reason to call 800-236-3636.
You know, there was a time not so long ago that comedians had fun making fun of Mr.
Rogers with, well, the sweater and the colorful sneakers, and just the slowness of his presentation
style.
You know, I think they were making fun of the fact that he kind of was out of step from
a fast-moving world, but gosh, don't we look back on that now and say, I think Mr.
Rogers was the one who was right about that, how many of us are desperately looking for
ways in our day just to take a moment to slow down.
And all we had to do was go back and watch the wisdom of Fred Rogers to understand what
matters in life, slowing down but also family and children and values.
It was there in front of us all along, and it was there in front of us on PBS.
And so we are asking you tonight to make programs like that continue to be possible, whether
it's the children's programming or the adult programming, that you appreciate on PBS Wisconsin.
We're up to 13 calls, make yours the next one, 1-800-236-3636.
And really it's been so wonderful being able to share this evening and paying tribute to
the legacy of Fred Rogers, and you can continue to keep that legacy going and build your own
community, share these resources, and these wonderful stories with your own family and
children.
And did you know there were nearly 900 episodes of Mr. Rogers?
So when you give at that $10 a month level, we'll send you that four-disc DVD set, The
Kindness Collection, again, sharing all those wonderful important messages that Mr. Rogers
has to share with us.
At $15 a month, you will get that fantastic sweater, color-changing mug, which might go
home with me this evening, and a book with these wonderful reflections.
Again, they make such a wonderful gift.
There's something different every day that we can all think about.
For $20 a month, we'll send you that DVD set, the mug, the book, and the DVD of tonight's
programs.
So visit us online at pbswisconsin.org or give us a call at 800-236-3636.
PBS Wisconsin has been serving Wisconsin for more than 70 years, and interestingly, Mr.
Rogers' neighborhood was not for 33 years, almost half of that time, which was a remarkable
run.
And over those 70 years, we've changed, we've grown, we've shifted, we've become something
I think even richer and better than we have been in the past.
We are part of the fabric of what makes Wisconsin, and that's largely because of the programs
we do about Wisconsin, whether they're regular programs like Wisconsin, Foodie, and Here
and Now, or the special programs that we do like Wisconsin's Scenic Treasures or the
Bucky program that's coming up, or the Vell Phillips program, whatever.
There's a lot of information, programs about Wisconsin.
You can feel proud to be from Wisconsin when you watch, and you are a supporter of PBS Wisconsin.
You can do that now by calling 800-236-3636.
Thank you very much.
What an incredibly moving documentary.
Thank you for joining us for it.
Hi, I'm David Hoffer to Volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin, and I want to debrief with you
a little bit about what we just saw and ask you to support public television, PBS Wisconsin,
in continuing to bring you programs like this.
Think back for a moment, or if you weren't alive yet, think about for a moment when the
Mr. Rogers program started, it was 1968.
Think about the environment of that time, war, political assassinations, general societal
upheaval, you know, paralleling a lot of ways to the times we're living through right
now, and what a time to be a child, what a scary time to be a child, and then you had
Fred Rogers providing that calm, that presence, that stability, that comfort.
What an important gift that was, and continues to be to this day, and you can keep that alive
with a gift of your own by calling 1-800-236-3636.
And Mr. Rogers did bring that calm and comfort into living rooms across the country for decades
and still continues to do so, and you can help us continue to bring programs like this into
homes all across Wisconsin.
So when you make a gift and you become a sustainer at $10 a month, we'll give to that kindness
collection, that 4 DVD set that talks about all of those important lessons and all the
things that we can carry into generations to come.
At $15 a month, we will send you this wonderful daily reflections book with some really great
insights from Fred Rogers, along with this great mug.
It's so fun and special, and any time you have it at hand, not only are you reminded
of his wisdom, but also might bring a smile to your face, and then at $20 a month, we'll
give to you that DVD set, the book, that sweet mug, and the DVD of tonight's program.
So you can always visit us online at pbswisconsin.org, or give us a call at 800-236-3636.
Fred Rogers helped children understand that difficult things, he helped them understand
difficult things by talking about them, and treating them like people.
And you know, it's interesting when Regina talks about this beautiful day, that book,
and you flip through it, you realize he really wasn't just talking to children, he was talking
to people of any age, he's got a lot of really wonderful things and ideas that he shared
in a very direct way, and that really was the magic, I think, of Fred Rogers and the
program he did for all those many years.
One way to support the program is by becoming a member of PBS Wisconsin, and one way of
becoming a member is sustaining member, that means that you give a monthly contribution,
you decide how much you want to give for a month, how you want it to be delivered to
the station, so you're checking account or charge card, whatever, and how long you want
it to go on.
You control, you're in the driver's seat when you become a sustaining member.
But it's really a wonderful option, not only for me, I'm a sustaining member, because it's
kind of an automatic pilot, I'm aware of it, but I don't have to worry about it.
And remember, have I done this?
It's done, it's good, and it's a great thing to do, which you can do now by calling 800-236-3636.
So I mentioned that there were some parallels between the days we're living through now
and the days when Fred Rogers started his program.
There is also one really important difference.
Fred Rogers was one of the people who went to Congress and made the case for public funding,
for public media, and of course, as you know, as of this year, we no longer have that funding.
But the mission has not changed, and the value proposition has not changed.
It just means that we need even more support from viewers like you who receive that value,
who know what this is about to call in and make sure that that mission can continue fully
going into the future.
Give us a call, 1-800-236-3636.
Viewers like you are the heart of PBS Wisconsin and what allow us to continue to bring such
wonderful programs into your living room every day.
And I'm not sure if you know this, but as we enter this season of giving and gratitude,
you have the ability to gift a PBS membership to a loved one, or you could potentially gift
one of these thank you gifts as well.
So if you're not a sustainer, or if you'd like to gift a membership, you can do so starting
at that $10 a month level will gift you the kindness collection, a wonderful four-disc DVD
series that covers all kinds of different topics like winning and losing, and how to
be a good friend.
The $15 a month level will gift you this wonderful book of 365 reflections, again, just kind
of going through here and learning all sorts of new things.
You can get the color-changing mug, which I think makes a perfect gift.
And then at that $20 a month level, you will gift you the four-disc DVD set, the book,
the mug, and the DVD of tonight's program.
So visit us at pbswisconsin.org or give us a call at 800-236-3636.
The last Mr. Rogers neighborhood program aired in 2001.
But the legacy that Mr. Rogers, Fred Rogers, created continues to be felt in the quality
programs, in some of, if you will, I don't call him spin-offs, but subsequent programs
that have carried his legacy on and to modern times.
And legacies are important, and you may be familiar with the concept of legacy giving
or estate planning.
And PBS Wisconsin has people who'd be more than happy to talk to you about what the
options are.
It's one way.
You may not be able to give a great gift right now, but perhaps in the future you can.
And you can include PBS Wisconsin in your estate plan.
And it's a wonderful thing to do.
I've done it.
I'm a member of the Heritage Society, because I want to be sure that my impact is still
felt when I'm no longer here.
You can do that, or you can call and become a member right this moment, or both.
You can do it all by calling 800-236-3636.
I mentioned in a previous break that gifts of any size are welcome and necessary, right?
If you can afford to give $5 a month, that's great.
You might even say, it's your gift I like, just the way it is.
You see what I did there?
Okay.
But I also want to take a moment to acknowledge those who do give more, who are able to give
more.
And we have some designations for them, the leadership circle and the director circle,
folks who can give $100 a month, or $250 a month.
And that's important too, right?
What makes PBS Wisconsin work is that everyone, no matter what their means, are contributing
what they can and saying, this matters to me.
And literally voting with their dollars, because what's happening here is important.
And yes, Fred Rogers is no longer making new episodes, but so many children's programs,
so many adult programs, even Daniel Tiger's neighborhood, literally a spinoff of Mr. Rogers
is coming to and supporting children to this day.
So please give us a call right now, 1-800-236-3636.
Mr. Rogers' neighborhood was one of the first programs to air nationwide on public television,
something called NET or National Educational Television, which I distinctly remember from
when I was growing up as a child.
I was a little old for Fred Rogers by the time he came to NET back then, but I do have big
recollections of his program.
I was in high school at the time.
The important thing is that public television has been around for a very long time.
It's always dependent on multiple sources of support, but most critically on the support
of individuals, families, people just like you, people like me, who support the station
PBS Wisconsin financially by becoming a member of PBS Wisconsin.
You can do that tonight.
You can do it by going online.
You can do it by calling during the show if you're so moved to do that, or you can call
right now.
If you call, the number is always the same, 800-236-3636.
You can do it by going online, or you can do it by going online, or you can do it by
calling, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it by
calling, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it by calling, or you
be calling, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it by calling
or you can do it by calling, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it byanking
under schedule, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it by calling, or you can do it
to ask you to make a pledge of financial support to PBS Wisconsin, to support programs like
this by calling 1-800-236-3636.
And I have to say, if you want to understand something deeply and well, there is no better
way than a Ken Burns documentary, right?
And we've seen this time and time again at this point over the years.
So it may surprise you, it may not surprise you, and yet still surprise you, when I tell
you that it took literally 10 years to make this documentary.
Of course, you're only seeing clips of it tonight, but if you're a member of PBS Wisconsin,
the effects has to PBS passport, the entire thing is there for you on demand, 10 years.
Think about the investment required to produce a show like this, and I mean, at this point
it's no longer a leap of faith.
You know it's going to be amazing, but PBS is able to make investments like that precisely
because viewers like you are providing the funding to do so.
So now is your chance to support that work.
Give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
Ten years to make this documentary, it is truly such a gift, and such a testament to
the incredible supporters of PBS and PBS Wisconsin.
We are able to continue to bring you this high quality programming because of your continued
support.
When you become a sustainer, it makes such an impact on us locally and the programs that
we can continue to share with you.
So tonight, if you're not a sustainer, give us a call and become one.
At $20 a month, we will gift you the six-disc DVD set of the American Revolution, or you
can also choose the book about the American Revolution.
It's an intimate history created by Ken Burns and his team.
So if you're really diving into this and enjoying every minute, this book is for you.
At $25 a month, we'll gift you the DVD set as well as the book, and then at $100 a month,
we'll gift you the Ken Burns DVD collection.
So lots and lots of great programming in there.
So if you are a Ken Burns fan, now is the time to call and continue to support this
incredible programming and this wonderful community here in PBS Wisconsin.
So visit us online at pbswisconsin.org or give us a call at 800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Michael Bridgman, a volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin.
Thanks to your support, this documentary series that Ken Burns and his friends have created
for us will be enjoyed in living rooms and classrooms across the country and across
Wisconsin for years to come.
It's one of those programs that has legs, as we might say.
It's high quality, it's well worth watching, you can watch it all at once, you can watch
it in parts.
The point is it's very much a compelling program about a compelling time in American history.
And if you're a member of PBS Wisconsin, we have to thank you for helping to make this
possible.
And especially if you're a sustaining member.
That means you are giving every month to PBS Wisconsin and you are telling PBS Wisconsin,
sure, I'll make a commitment for as long as I want, but I will make a commitment to give
money every month in support of the fine service that PBS Wisconsin delivers.
Things like all the Ken Burns programs we've enjoyed most recently and over the decades.
Do that by calling 800-236-3636.
You know, there's several interviews out there at this point of Ken Burns and Sarah
Botstein talking about the process of making this documentary and they often point out
how difficult it was to do a documentary about the American Revolution.
For reasons that we may not really appreciate, part of it is that there's so much national
mythology tied up in the story.
We all think we know about the American Revolution and how do you challenge some of
those potential misunderstandings in a way that people will appreciate?
There's also the fact that there wasn't photography back then, right?
I mean, like when I think of a Ken Burns documentary, I think of that kind of slow
zoom on a photograph, right?
They weren't able to do that here.
So I mean, there are so many challenges unique to this story that really kind of had them
had pushed their own limits and their own style, but it was important.
It was important to them to tell the story for us to experience this story and they were
willing to do the work.
And that really is the ethos of public television, right?
Doing the work supported by the public who appreciates it.
You can be part of that public right now when you call 1-800-236-3636.
We are surrounded by such an incredible community here in Wisconsin that supports this
station and allows us to be here with you tonight.
So when you give us a call and make a gift, you are making an impact and you're helping
your neighbors all across Wisconsin here.
So at the $20 a month level, we will gift you the six DVD set of the American Revolution
or this incredible book, the American Revolution and Intimate History.
As we mentioned before, this book was curated by Ken Burns.
It's really taking a magnifying glass to this series and allowing you to just immerse yourself
in all of this fantastic information.
So if you are a Ken Burns fan, this book is for you, you need to add it to your library.
So you can get that at that $20 a month level.
At $25 a month, we'll gift you the book and the six set DVDs and at $100 a month, we will
gift you the Ken Burns DVD collection which includes series like the American Revolution,
Civil War, Vietnam War and baseball.
So if you haven't called, if you're not a sustainer, help us continue to bring these
programs.
Let's make PBS Wisconsin strong together and give us a call at 800-236-3636.
PBS Wisconsin delivers programs wherever you are.
There is of course broadcast television and that's one of the principal places.
You'll still watch the programs of PBS Wisconsin.
But if you have a streaming device, there's an app you can get.
Or if you have access to the web in any way, you can watch live streams of PBS Wisconsin.
You can also get access to PBS Passport, a whole library full of wonderful programs,
some of which may be familiar to you because you've seen them on PBS Wisconsin, but many
of which will probably not be familiar to you.
They're a whole world of programs.
Many of them from countries around the world that you'll find on PBS Passport.
That's one of the benefits of membership when you join at one of our suggested levels.
The point is to show your support for the programs that you enjoy all the time, no matter
where you enjoy them, on the air, streaming, on an app, whatever.
The point is to support public television, support PBS Wisconsin at 800-236-3636.
So I talked a bit about how hard it was to make this documentary and the challenges
they encountered.
But it's also no coincidence that they did this project at this time, this program premiered
in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
That's not a coincidence.
There is milestones like that make us wonder.
They make us reconsider.
And some of us maybe haven't thought about some of these stories since we've learned
them in school, but you have this yearning to make sure you know the truth.
And you know, sure, I can Google it or ask chat GPT and get a half-correct answer.
But there's no one I trust more to tell me the raw, honest truth than Ken Burns and
then PBS Wisconsin.
And I don't have to, I don't have to do anything.
I just turn on my television, I look at airwaves, I make sure I know when it's coming,
and it's there for me.
And you can be there for us when you call 1-800-236-3636, now back to the program.
Hi, I'm David Hoffer to volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin, and I hope you enjoyed that.
Look into Ken Burns American Revolution as much as I did.
And if you did, I hope that you will call and make a pledge of financial support at 1-800-236-3636.
To give you a little extra incentive, this is a challenge break.
When you call during this break, your money will be doubled by generous contributions
of folks who want to encourage new folks to step forward and join them in this community
that makes possible programs like the Ken Burns documentary that we were seeing clips
from tonight.
This is a challenging time for public media.
You are probably aware that federal funding for public media was removed this year.
But the mission goes on, and PBS Wisconsin is not going anywhere.
If anything, our resolve is stronger, and it relies all the more on support from viewers
like you.
So give us a call right now.
We're going for 15 calls during this challenge drive, 1-800-236-3636.
And it is a challenge break.
So 15 calls, you can help us make PBS Wisconsin strong.
When you make your gift, you are supporting programs like the American Revolution and
other fantastic shows about Wisconsin, like Michael was saying earlier.
So consider making a gift and becoming a sustainer tonight.
At the $20 a month level, we will gift you with the American Revolution 6 DVD set or
the book that really takes an intimate look at the history of the American Revolution.
It's again, taking that magnifying glass and really going into the depths and learning
more about the American Revolution.
Maybe there was something you saw tonight and you thought, hmm, I really would like to know
more about that.
This book is what you need.
At the $25 a month level, we'll gift you both the book and the DVD set.
And when you gift us $100 a month, when you become a sustainer at that level, we will
gift you the entire 8 series DVD set, which includes the American Revolution, the Civil
War, baseball, national parks and country music.
So give us a call at 800-236-3636.
Whether you're a longtime member of PBS Wisconsin or this may be the first time you'll be joining
us in support, this is a good time to do it.
We're here, we have volunteers standing by to waiting to take your call.
So it would be a wonderful time to show your support for PBS Wisconsin and one of the best
ways to do that is by becoming a sustainer.
I'm a sustaining member of PBS Wisconsin.
All it means is I've made a sustained commitment to PBS Wisconsin by giving monthly.
That allows me to budget my giving to PBS Wisconsin.
I do the same thing for some other organizations too.
So it benefits me, but it also benefits PBS Wisconsin.
There's this paperwork involved, the flow of funds is more consistent and at a time
like this, consistent money flow is an important thing for all public media.
So do think about becoming a sustaining member.
If you are a radio sustainer, you can talk to your operator about that, they can look
up how much you're giving and you can increase your gift.
Either way, call 800-236-3636.
You know, PBS is certainly not the only channel on your dial where you'll see a history documentary.
It is the only place you'll see one quite like this.
And I have a quote here from Ken Burns, none of this happens anywhere else but PBS.
Nobody else is going to give us 10 years to build a history of the revolution, no one.
The willingness to dive deep into this, to be able to excavate stories, I love that,
excavate stories, to depend and rely on scholarship.
And it's that dedication to quality and accuracy that sets apart PBS documentaries,
but also that is so essential to us, to the public discourse, to our understanding of
the world and of each other.
And you only get that on PBS precisely because only PBS is funded by viewers like you.
You are the largest source of funding for PBS Wisconsin.
Not one of you, all of you collectively.
And so if you are not yet part of that group, or as Michael was just saying, if you are,
but you feel a call to increase your support, now during a challenge break when your money
is doubled is the time to do that.
So give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
And we're so grateful for you spending your evening with us and enjoying this fantastic
Ken Burns documentary.
We are able to continue to bring you programs like this because of viewers like you and
your support makes all the difference.
So whether you're giving at that $5 a month level or you're giving at the $100 a month
level, every gift makes an impact and allows us to continue forward.
So maybe tonight is the night that you decide you're going to become a sustainer.
When you make a gift as a $20 a month sustainer, we'll send you that six disc DVD set of the
American Revolution.
Or again, if that book is really what's striking you, we can send you the book instead.
At the $25 a month level, you will get both.
So you can take that deeper dive.
Some of the maps that were designed for this documentary are included in that book.
So there's so many intricacies and things for you to check out as you explore that book.
It also makes a great gift.
So if the person you're sitting next to, he wants to enjoy it as well.
You can scan that QR code and make your gift now.
So you can reach us at 800-236-3636.
And if you call and support PBS Wisconsin at one of our suggested levels, one of the additional
benefits you'll receive is Airwaves Magazine.
It will come to you once a month through the length of your membership.
And it's really a very useful guide to what's on PBS Wisconsin.
There's the fundamental schedule information for PBS Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin channel and create all three broadcast services that PBS Wisconsin offers.
But there's also information about special programs during the month, some behind the
scenes information, and other news about what's going on at PBS Wisconsin.
It's a nice benefit of your support.
So consider that too when you call and pledge your support to PBS Wisconsin.
Airwaves, good thing.
Even better, the great shows that you enjoy throughout the year here on PBS Wisconsin.
And there's a whole environment of documentaries.
I mean, Ken Burns is certainly an important part of that.
His documentaries are essentially legendary, if you will, in public television and in television
in general.
But there's plenty of other documentaries too, national and importantly, local documentary
programs that we do here at PBS Wisconsin.
All worth your support, all worth a call now, to 800-236-3636.
And there's also more Ken Burns documentaries.
Regina was telling you about the $100 a month level, I think it was, where you get all the
existing ones or a large number of them.
But you know, you heard Ken Burns talk about the next four projects he's working on.
You know, a normal person would say, well, my next one project, he had four, right, at
least, what, Crime and Punishment in America, Emancipation to Exodus, Henry David Thoreau,
LBJ in the Great Society.
I mean, this man doesn't rest, which is good because it broadens our horizons that much
more.
And my ask of you is that you get inspired by Ken Burns' work ethic and say, you know
what?
I can be a part of that.
I can call and make a pledge right now, get it doubled at 1-800-236-3636.
Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed this evening.
We're so grateful to have you here with us.
Remember, this is still a challenge break and we have five calls right now, so help us
cross that finish line and continue giving us a call.
Your support just makes such an impact.
We'll go through those thank you gifts just one more time.
And $20 a month will send you the American Revolution six-set DVDs, or we can send you
that fantastic book, The Intimate History of the American Revolution.
At $25 a month, we will send you both that DVD set and the book.
And at $100 a month, you will get the entire Ken Burns DVD collection that includes the
American Revolution, Civil War, Vietnam, baseball, and the Roosevelt's.
So visit us at PBS Wisconsin or give us a call at 800-236-3636.
The outpouring of support for public media has been a bright spot in these otherwise
very challenging times with the loss of federal funding, but it's also an opportunity for
you as an individual and for the community as a whole to show your support for PBS Wisconsin.
If you're not a member, you can become a member very easily tonight by calling one
of our volunteers or going online at PBS Wisconsin.org.
If you're a sustaining member, you can increase the amount of your monthly support for PBS
Wisconsin.
Do that with a volunteer operator or you can again do that online or you can think about
becoming a leadership donor.
However, make it an important commitment to PBS Wisconsin at 800-236-3636.