Longtime Volunteer At WCHG Takes Over As Station Coordinator

Hot Springs, Va – Allegheny Mountain Radio’s Bath County station, WCHG, has a new Coordinator.
Richard Hise of Hot Springs began work there as Station Coordinator on December first.

“Well, I’ve been a volunteer here at WCHG for eight years, going on nine years now,” says Hise. “I like what our radio stands for, getting the news, important information out to the community, and providing music as well. I just think I could have a great opportunity to do that as well.”

Hise has hit the ground running. December is a busy month at WCHG with additional duties that come with the Christmas season. There are school programs to record, the Hot Springs Christmas parade to broadcast and basketball games are back on the broadcast schedule too.

“The most fun is recording the Christmas shows for the Christmas holidays,” says Hise. “The childrena’s shows, that was a lot of fun, and getting that so that could be played over the air. The biggest challenge is probably getting the sports on the radio. The basketball games, getting that on the air. That is something really new to me. I think once I get a hold of that, it will work out very well.”

Previously Hise worked as a front desk supervisor and lead front desk agent at The Homestead for five years. He has also worked at McLaughlin and Young Funeral Home for six years as an office assistant. And during most of that time Hise and his wife Karen have also been volunteering, doing a Sunday morning gospel show called Richard and Karen’s Gospel Hour. They also help with the Bluegrass Jamboree each year and organize The Gospel Jubilee each November as part of Allegheny Mountain Radio’s fall fundraiser.

“I want to thank everyone for welcoming me into this position,” says Hise. “The staff, the volunteers, have all been really great. I’m getting a lot of good feedback from the community as well.”

Hise already has some ideas for what he would like to accomplish in his job as Station Coordinator.

“I would like to see us get back with the radio club with the high school,” says Hise. “Possibly start working with those kids again, maybe getting them out there doing some journalism work. Just getting them to get a feel of what the radio station is and what it’s all about.”

Hise wants to encourage anyone who may be interesting in volunteering with community radio to get in touch with him. And volunteering doesn’t always include being on the air.

“It’s a great cause for our community,” says Hise. “It’s fun, fulfilling; it’s a great job, not a job, but volunteering. It’s just something great. It gives you a passion to get out there and get stuff done for our community. That’s what we stand for.”

For more information about Allegheny Mountain Radio or to find out more about volunteering in Bath County at WCHG, contact Richard Hise at 540-839-5400.