SLB Radio Productions, Inc.

I have followed the Saturday Light Brigade from it's earliest days. I have watched it grow from a weekly radio show to becoming a media center for young people that demonstrates how radio and the spoken word can join people and communities together. It is a unique and valuable resource for the people of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania

SLB radio creates and presents opportunities to young people by teaching young students to create quality, informed broadcast content city wide. I cannot tell you how much content research has been done and presented through SLB sponsorship and mentoring. I recently attended an awards ceremony on films presented by high school students on topics of their choice, all done through SLB and Larry Berger and Ricki Berger's efforts. Every team who made a video was in attendance, with their families, full of pride in what they had created. And the videos, each a short non fiction story, completely researched and credited, were fascinating. It is a tremendous community resource and deserves to win. I am proud to be associated with Saturday Morning Light Brigade.


Carol McCague, Board Member.

SLB is an absolutely awesome organization that encompasses not only the hard-working steel town work ethics of Pittsburgh past, but also the technological know-how that encompasses Pittsburgh's future. The ability to captivate children and families from many backgrounds has been a time-honored tradition of SLB for many years and one that certainly is not easy to achieve. Year after year, SLB manages to out-perform themselves in forging an atmosphere that fosters family togetherness and youthful pride. Great work, everyone!!!!

I have been listening to the Saturday radio show for over 20 years, and have been involved with SLB Radio at the Board level for almost 2 years. The radio show provides an important outlet for children and adults to securely express their authentic selves to a caring audience, magically wrapped in a blanket of entertainment. And the music! Who else is playing the songs SLB Plays, who else is providing the stage for such varied live performances by kids and adults? The after-school and non-radio activities are even more impressive. In these days of constant texting and ubiquitous online social networking, SLB keeps its focus on oral communication and genuine human interaction.

One of the most unique resources in public radio, SLB Radio creates and distributes not only a weekly "acoustic music and family fun" radio program, but some of the most innovative educational resources that I know of. Building on more than 20 years of experience with radio as a creative medium, SLB has focused intensively on creating programs focused on helping teachers excite students of all ages about a wide variety of literacy skills. Their ability to develop and deploy these programs is evidenced by the growing list of foundations and corporations willing to assist with grant financing and in-kind donations, and an enormous cadre of enthusiastic listeners and participants in their programs. Larry Berger's professionalism and that of his staff is unsurpassed in my experience dealing with not-for-profit organizations. Not only can they envision programs, they have superior delivery skills: any program promised by SLB Radio from a remote broadcast to a series of workshops delivered in the classroom is executed in a quality manner. In addition Larry and his staff are always open to new ideas and to improvements in their processes, which encourages volunteers to speak up and to pitch in.

As a listener, musician and writer, and fan of the SLB mission, I've had the pleasure of crossing paths with SLB for well over a decade, possibly two! I've interacted with Larry and Rikki as a member of the SLB advisory board and at events in which we've both participated, such as StoryWalk and Empty Bowls, and I am constantly amazed and inspired by their commitment to radio, the arts, and the education of young people throughout the Western Pennsylvania region. I've witnessed kids giggle with delight as they recount a special story to Larry during an on-air interview, adults tap their toes and smile in amusement as their children dance and sing during an SLB concert, and musicians soulfully play and impart song writing secrets as part of a hour long interview and performance. Through the hard work and commitment of Larry and Rikki, SLB has created a synergy with the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. This synergy creates opportunities for adults and children in families, schools and various organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania (and beyond, via the web ) in areas of as diverse as storytelling, writing, radio broadcasting, and live performance. SLB is a unique synthesis of so many things - there's nothing else like it!

I have been listening to The Saturday Light Brigade radio program for more than 30 years--almost since the beginning of their broadcasts. During that time I have enjoyed the music that they showcased, played along with a variety of on-air games (the kinds of games that research increasingly identifies as beneficial to our mental health and acuity)and appreciated the strong commitment to our community. I've had my birthday acknowledged each year and sent birthday greetings to friends and family members. I've also shared, in some small part, the grief of losing treasured companions like Trivia Bill, Larry's on-air partner in the early years. I've appreciated the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the many good works done by area volunteers and agencies. In short, Larry, Rikki and SLB have truly created an on-air (and now, on-line) community. They offer the opportunity to participate for those who wish to but also work hard to ensure that those who don't call in still feel included. Their recent emphasis on providing a voice to children and youth is particularly important, I believe, in a world that can feel increasingly fragmented and isolated. And, of course, a world in which excellent communication skills play an ever larger role in personal and professional success. Best of all, SLB offers all of these opportunities for connection and growth within a framework of fun and laughter.

I have been involved personally with SLB for about 6 months but have listened to the show previously. This show brings a great opportunity for children and their families to gather around and spend time doing constructive activities. It also helps to facilitate communication as well. In this time of busy schedules and time crunches, it is always nice to know that we can set time aside for a new family tradition.