November/December 2024
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO, PAUL GROVE
As 2024 draws to a close, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support. We appreciate you.
Your dedication allows us to sustain the future of public media and connects our community through shared stories, cultural programming and informative content.
We are excited about the new possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead in 2025. Our commitment to bringing you high-quality information, entertainment and educational content remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to exploring new ideas, cultures and perspectives through our diverse programming in the years ahead.
This fall we have a wonderful selection of programs lined up, including Ken Burns: Leonardo da Vinci, a tribute to Patsy Cline from Great Performances and holiday specials like Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir. We hope these shows bring joy and enlightenment to your celebrations.
Thank you for being a valued member of the WEDU PBS family. Wishing you a safe, happy and festive holiday season.
Onward and upward.
The Ultimate Renaissance Man
Join us for a captivating journey into the life and legacy of one of history’s greatest minds with Ken Burns: Leonardo da Vinci. This groundbreaking documentary marks a departure from Burns’ usual focus on American subjects, delving into the world of the 15th-century polymath, Leonardo da Vinci. Known for his unparalleled contributions to art, science and innovation, da Vinci’s influence resonates through the ages.
The film uses a unique storytelling technique, featuring split screens with images, video and sound from various periods to enrich our understanding of da Vinci’s genius. It explores his profound intellect and imaginative prowess, examining how his work continues to shape our perceptions of nature and humanity. Through this lens, viewers are invited to reflect on enduring questions about our relationship with the world around us and the essence of human existence.
Experience the enduring brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci and discover how his visionary ideas continue to inspire and challenge us today.
Premieres Monday, November 18, and Tuesday, November 19, at 8 p.m.
Watch this program live or stream with the PBS app.
An All-Star Tribute
Get ready for an unforgettable evening honoring a legend. Great Performances: Patsy Cline: Walkin’ After Midnight is a must-see event illustrating Cline’s enduring influence and showcasing the diverse talent she inspired through the years.
And it’s only fitting that some of the best in the business will gather at the Mother Church of Country Music, the industry’s most illustrious stage, the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
A star-studded musical tribute to Cline’s life, legacy and timeless music features performances by artists across various genres, including Wynonna Judd, Ashley McBryde, Grace Potter, Pat Benatar and many more. Enjoy performances by today’s top artists that showcase the enduring influence of a musical legend.
Airs Friday, November 22, at 9 p.m. Watch this program live or stream with the PBS app.
Honoring Our Heroes
This Veterans Day, WEDU PBS pays tribute to our nation’s heroes with two programs dedicated to their incredible stories and sacrifices.
First, Salute to Service: A Veterans Day Celebration, a musical tribute hosted by country music superstar Mickey Guyton. With performances by country legend Craig Morgan, jazz bassist Christian McBride and pop trombonist Aubrey Logan alongside The United States Army Field Band, this hour-long special will resonate with both music lovers and patriots alike. Airs Friday, November 8, at 9 p.m.
Second, Independent Lens: Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen delves into the deeply personal journey of U.S. Marine Corps veteran Anthony Marquez. After returning from Afghanistan, Marquez, who served with the 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment, committed himself to helping Gold Star families find healing, while seeking solace for his own survivor’s guilt. Airs Monday, November 11, at 10 p.m.
Watch these programs live or stream with the PBS app.
Give Smart — Plan Ahead
It’s not too late to make a 2024 charitable gift with your IRA. If you want to support WEDU PBS and make a lasting impact, you have two great options through your IRA: a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) or lifetime income from a charitable gift annuity.
Each year, the IRS requires you to withdraw a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. If you are at least 70½ years old, you can make a gift, a QCD, from your IRA without penalty. Give a one-time gift to WEDU PBS without increasing your taxable income.
Or, use your IRA to fund a charitable gift annuity, which creates lifetime income for you through a gift to WEDU PBS. If you are age 70½ or older, you can convert up to $50,000 of your IRA into a stream of income without paying federal income tax on the principal.
Advantages of funding a lifetime income gift from your IRA:
- Guaranteed income for life with a WEDU PBS charitable gift annuity
- Meet your RMD without adding to your taxable income
- Significant support for WEDU PBS
To take advantage of these benefits and make a one-time gift or QCD today, call WEDU PBS Development Office at (813) 739-2959 or email us at [email protected]. To learn more please visit: wedugiving.org.
Spend the Holidays with Us
Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with an array of heartwarming specials that are sure to bring joy to your festivities.
Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir features the choir’s harmonious melodies and festive spirit that will fill your home with the magic of Christmas. Airs Tuesday, December 17, at 8 p.m.
Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah, is a soul-stirring reimagining of Handel’s Messiah. Conductor Marin Alsop, along with Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson, infuse the 18th-century masterpiece with vibrant gospel, jazz and R&B elements to uplift and inspire. Airs Tuesday, December 17, at 9:30 p.m.
Be a part of the festivities at Nonnatus House. Enjoy the kindness and warmth of nuns and midwives in Call the Midwife: Holiday Special, as these beloved characters commemorate the season with touching stories and cherished traditions. Airs Wednesday, December 25, at 8 p.m.
Finally, ring in the New Year with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This annual concert is the perfect way to welcome the New Year with grace and grandeur. Airs Wednesday, January 1, at 8 p.m.
Watch these programs live or stream with the PBS app.
GivingTuesday Takes Place on December 3!
GivingTuesday is a special, global day of giving to support the nonprofit organizations that are making an impact in our communities.
When you donate to WEDU PBS on December 3, for GivingTuesday, you are ensuring equal access to high-quality programming for your family, friends and neighbors.
With the end of the year approaching, now is an ideal time to make a tax-deductible gift to WEDU PBS.
Every contribution makes a difference.
There are a variety of opportunities to donate and help support the programming you love by considering creative non-cash gifts such as:
IRA Charitable Rollover
Individuals who have reached age 70½ can donate up to $100,000 to WEDU PBS directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA), without treating the distribution as taxable income. Giving from your IRA is a great way to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) tax-free and support WEDU PBS’s mission to serve the public good and to aid in the creation of an informed citizenry. Talk to your financial or tax advisor about rolling 401(k) monies into an IRA to make a tax-free charitable contribution to WEDU PBS.
Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
Donating stock or mutual funds you have held longer than one year and which have appreciated in value directly to WEDU is a savvy giving strategy to avoid capital gains taxes. Consult with your financial advisor to help leverage your gift for the best tax savings. Remember, sometimes it might be more tax advantageous to sell depreciated stock and give a gift of cash to WEDU PBS with the proceeds — a double tax savings!
Donate your car, motorcycle, boat, RV, kayak or even real estate!
We make donating your vehicle or other mode of transportation simple and convenient with fast pickup and streamlined paperwork. You benefit by possibly being able to reduce your taxable income. Plus, you avoid paying for advertising, loss of privacy and possible security risk. In addition, there is no need to pay for registrations, insurance and repairs to keep your transportation in working condition.
Please contact us for easy gifting of real estate that may have become a burden to own or insure. For more information:
CALL: (813) 739-2959
EMAIL: [email protected]
VISIT: wedugiving.org
