WAY-FM provides listener supported Christian radio in multiple communities throughout the United States, including Southwest Florida. Like most stations, they engage in a significant amount of programming. One such appeal has captured my attention: Drive Through Difference. The local station has encouraged its listeners to participate in this endeavor on multiple occasions with the most recent being held yesterday on June 24.
According to their description, participants are encouraged to print out a note, go to a fast food restaurant or coffee shop on the assigned date, purchase their meal or snack, pay for the meal or snack of the person(s) in the vehicle behind them, hand it to the cashier/window worker the printed out note and ask them to give it to the person(s) in the next car when alerting them that someone else purchased their meal or snack.
So What?
Many churches and para-church ministries have created programs in recent years that ask members to engage in random acts of kindness on a given date and this activity falls into that general category. While I am thankful that Christian radio stations seek to find creative ways to encourage their listeners to live out their faith, I am troubled by the Drive Through Difference. For me, the issue is primarily about the content of the note. The short letter is a marketing piece designed to ensure that everyone who receives free food and/or drink knows that while it was paid for by an anonymous person it happened because of WAY-FM. Furthermore, they are encouraged to call the station and share how this gift really made a difference in their day. Those recorded messages are later played on air to promote the success of the event and encourage increased participation in the next Drive Through Difference.
- What is your initial impression of the Drive Through Difference?
- Would you participate? Why or why not?
- If you are troubled by the contents of the note, how might you alter it and/or alter the overall event to be less focused on marketing the radio station and more about teaching people to live generous lives?