DEMOPOLIS – The Alabama Broadcasters Association began a massive campaign Friday to raise $2 million in ten days.

Demopolis’ WIN 98.5 is among the many stations participating, and so far, it has raked in thousands of dollars for the coastal relief effort.

Scott Shepherd, a WIN 98 disc jockey, said upon announcement of the fund-raiser, people immediately began dropping donations off at the station.

Though radio and television stations across the state are participating, each can organize the fund-raiser as they see fit.

“The simpler we make it, the more response we’ll get,” Shepherd said. If everyone who has ever tuned in to WIN 98 or WZNJ 106 donated one dollar, the need would practically be met, he said.

ABA Executive Director Sharon Tinsley said that as of Wednesday morning, $599,000 had been contributed to the campaign.

Because of the overwhelming participation in this fund-raiser, Tinsley is certain the $2 million mark will be met by this Sunday’s deadline.

“We’re saying it is the ABA raising this money, but it is actually very generous audiences throughout Alabama,” she said.

Throughout the coming days, WIN 98 personnel will be out and about the area randomly collecting money. “We want to raise the most money of any station,” Shepherd said.

In addition to on-air pleas for donations, the station has also held auctions for Alabama Crimson Tide football tickets and a three-day hog hunt, among other things.

Shepherd said listeners may also mail donations to P.O. Box 938, Demopolis, AL 36732.