Deacon Mark Campbell and Ayden Pugh host the 2 PM hour of Iowa Catholic Radio's Fall Fundraiser, "The Harvest is Abundant," with Director of Business Development Bill Marasco sharing how Catholic radio walked with her as a single mom of five, plus joyful listener testimonies from across central Iowa. Hear how a triple match on $25 monthly gifts, open until 3:00 PM CT on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, could turn each gift into $100 as Iowa Catholic Radio celebrates 21 years on the air. Join this Catholic radio and podcast community by texting GIVE to 515-223-1150 and help connect people to Christ across Iowa.
GIVE JOYFULLY: Text GIVE to 515-223-1150 and a secure giving link will be sent to you, or give online at https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options. A monthly gift of $25 is less than a dollar a day and helps Iowa Catholic Radio keep connecting people to Christ!
The Harvest is Abundant, but the laborers are few! In the 2 PM hour of the Fall Fundraiser, Deacon Mark Campbell and Ayden Pugh share the joy of Day 1, welcome Director of Business Development Bill Marasco to the studio, and let listeners tell in their own words what Iowa Catholic Radio means to their families.
THE TRIPLE MATCH
- A Challenger Club member offered a three-times match for the hour: if 12 people committed to $25 a month for the next year, the challenger would add $75 a month, turning each $25 monthly gift into $100.
- The match window ran until 3:00 PM CT on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
- Three monthly gifts were in, with nine more needed, as the hour wound down.
- Every gift still matters. Text GIVE to 515-223-1150 or visit https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Fundraiser update: $17,906 raised on air from 26 donors at the start of the hour.
- 21 years on the air: Iowa Catholic Radio launched on September 29, 2005, the feast of the Holy Archangels, and now begins its 22nd year.
- Bill Marasco's story: how she first found Iowa Catholic Radio as a single mom of five, how the station brought community into her home, and why "every gift matters." (Full interview also available as its own episode.)
- Lily's visit: Deacon Mark's daughter Lily talks about the Iowa State Fair and the Celebrate Country concerts with Lorrie Morgan, Scotty McCreery, and Walker Hayes.
- Ayden Pugh shares what has inspired him most while recording testimonies at ICR events this year.
- Listener testimonies from parishes in Ames, Sheridan, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ankeny, and Des Moines, including favorites like Sunday Dive with Katie Patrizio, Catholic Answers Live, The Catholic Morning Show, the Holy Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Dr. Ray Guarendi.
- An RCIA journey: a listener who became Catholic three years ago tells how Catholic radio answered her questions.
- Words of encouragement from Bishop William Joensen, Coach Tom Wilson of Dowling Catholic High School, Chris Stefanick, Cy Kellett, Teresa Tomeo, and Dr. Ray Guarendi.
- Thank-yous to new monthly donors in Ankeny, Johnston, West Des Moines, Marshalltown, Mason City, and Norwalk.
- The Divine Mercy Chaplet and a call to prayer for the next person to respond.
LOGISTICS
- Text GIVE to 515-223-1150 (a secure giving link is texted back to you)
- Give online: https://www.iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options
- Live all week during Fall Fundraiser week. This hour's broadcast ran until 5:00 PM.
- Listen anytime: https://iowacatholicradio.com/
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