For Immediate Release

GO-TV Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign with Donation from Habitat for Humanity

International Non-Profit Organization Challenges Other Local Businesses to Help TV Station Stay on the Air

Ossining, NY (December 2003) Greater Ossining TV (GO-TV) is kicking off its first major fundraising campaign with a $500 donation from the New Rochelle chapter of Habitat for Humanity, an international non-profit organization that helps to provide housing for people worldwide.

In an ironic twist of fate, the New Rochelle non-profit organization has been the first to come to the aid of GO-TV, which is in jeopardy of shutting down in 2004 due to lack of funding. With a proposed operating budget of just under $75,000, the public access station will currently not be able to meet its costs for 2004, falling short by almost $7,000. In addition, GO-TV is in desperate need of financial aid for its quest to relocate to a downtown location and expand studio hours in order to better serve the public.

“Our organization has built quite a few homes here in Ossining, and we have come to know this community,” said Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in New Rochelle. “This is a challenge grant for other local businesses to step up to the plate and help. We believe in helping to continue community organizations like GO-TV, because it’s such a great vehicle for the people of Ossining.”

GO-TV is continuing its negotiations with the Town and Village of Ossining over the distribution of Cablevision Franchise Fees. Cablevision charges these fees to its customers every month, and then passes these funds through to the local municipalities.

In every other Westchester community except Ossining, the municipalities then distribute these Franchise Fees -- either fully or partially --- to their local public access TV stations. While the Village of Ossining currently receives $200,000 and the Town, $60,000 from these Cablevision Franchise Fees, GO-TV has never received any of these funds, and now must rely on donations to stay in operation.

GO-TV is currently is located in a tiny classroom at Ossining High School, with zero visibility to the community. The public studio hours are miniscule -- Wednesdays to Fridays, from 6:00 p. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“In this season of giving, we are so grateful to Habitat for Humanity for this donation,” said Ann Le Clair, Treasurer of GO-TV. “This is a clear indication that the local community really cares about its public access station, and we look forward to continued support so that we can better serve all the residents of Ossining.”

Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded by in 1976 Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 92 nations have built and sold more than 150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages.

GO-TV broadcasts public access on Channel 18, and government access on Channel 78. Now in its 9^th year of operation, GO-TV serves the Village and Town of Ossining, Briarcliff Manor, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and parts of Chappaqua, Pleasantville, Valhalla and Mount Pleasant.