Dear friends, 

As Board Chair of PBS Western Reserve, I am proud of the remarkable year the station had. The station’s creative achievements and deepened connections across our region remind us of the essential role public media plays in strengthening community life. From compelling local storytelling to educational initiatives and civic dialogue, PBS Western Reserve has lived its mission in ways that matter profoundly to the people we serve. 

The Board of Directors has had a front-row seat to this progress. We have witnessed the ingenuity of our staff, the growing enthusiasm of our members, and the renewed sense of purpose that guides this organization. It has been inspiring to see how your support — whether as a donor, partner, volunteer or viewer — translates into impact that ripples through schools, neighborhoods, and cultural life across Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. 

At the same time, we must acknowledge the reality of an unprecedented challenge. The rescission of federal funding for public media has created a moment of great uncertainty, one that threatens the very foundation of a service built to be accessible to all. For more than half a century, that national investment has been a safeguard, ensuring that stations like ours could deliver trusted, noncommercial media to every household, regardless of circumstance. Its loss is profound. 

Yet in this challenge, I see resolve. The Board and leadership of PBS Western Reserve are united in our commitment to protect and advance the station’s mission. We will work tirelessly to identify new paths forward, build innovative partnerships, and most importantly, invite our community to stand with us. 

Public media has always belonged to the people it serves. In this new chapter, sustaining PBS Western Reserve will depend more than ever on the strength of that relationship. Your belief in us — and your willingness to act on that belief — will carry this vital service into the future. 

On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your trust, your generosity and your partnership. Together, we will not only navigate these difficult times but also continue to ensure that PBS Western Reserve remains a source of inspiration, education, and connection for generations to come. 

With gratitude, 

Stephen Colecchi 
Chair, PBS Western Reserve Board of Directors 

President and CEO, Hattie Larlham