It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving week without two sleep-deprived radio djs and a couple of giant tractor trailers.
This morning, Rock 102’s Bax & O’Brien kicked off their annual Mayflower Marathon, a 52-hour fundraiser for Springfield’s Open Pantry. From now until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the Valley’s bad boys of radio will do good, collecting food and financial donations for Open Pantry while broadcasting live from the Basketball Hall of Fame on West Columbus Avenue. Donors can drop off non-perishable food items, which will be collected in three 48-foot trailers. (If you can’t make it to the Hall, you can also make financial donations on-line at www.rock102.com.)
Donors who cough up $10 or more (that’s only a “suggested” figure, but c’mon, don’t be a cheapskate) can enter a raffle to win a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta (and while I usually balk at corporate plugs, even I won’t begrudge giving Fathers & Sons Volkswagen of West Springfield a plug for that generous donation).
This is the 15th year of the Mayflower Marathon, and the 15th year of the radio pair’s partnership. Scheduled guests over the three-day event include Gov. Deval Patrick, Rep. Richie Neal, and comedians Wendy Lieberman and David Brenner.
And lest this demonstration of altruism lulls you into thinking that Bax and O’Brien have gotten soft over the years, consider that this morning they were gleefully anticipating an on-air appearance by Spirit of Springfield head Judy Matt because—and I quote—they “like her balls.” (I’m going to assume that was a reference to the annual Bright Nights Ball fundraiser. If you know otherwise, please, keep it to yourself.)
