May 2005

Dear friend of KHCS,

You don’t have to travel far outside your front door to recognize that the Coachella Valley is experiencing massive growth.  Indio is currently the 12th-fastest-growing city in California, with La Quinta not far behind.  New housing developments are popping up in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Thousand Palms and other cities around the valley.

While this area has long been considered primarily a retirement area, this is no longer the case.  Forty years ago, the average age in Palm Springs was 65, while in Indio it was 18.  As country clubs and “senior” gated communities have spread “down-valley” and younger families have filled in the new housing tracts from Coachella to Cathedral City, this age disparity has evened out.  The valley’s median age is now under 38.  Half of the population of the Coachella Valley is now between the ages of 30 and 44. 

Another change is that our newer residents are predominantly year-round desert-dwellers.  Gone are the days of empty stores ─ and streets! ─ in the summer months.  Country Club Drive, which used to be just a barren two-lane strip of asphalt, now bustles in August just as much as in April.  Almost 70 percent of our residents now live here year-round. 

The Coachella Valley is also a region of economic contrast.  While the area is considered to be an affluent one, and indeed the average household income in Indian Wells is over $100,000 annually, the household income in Desert Hot Springs is only $29,655.  Coachella fares only slightly better, and unincorporated areas such as Mecca, Thermal, and Indio Hills are far poorer. 

Over 60 percent of the households in the area have one or more children, and this figure grows every year.

Because we are in a period of tremendous change, the ministry of KHCS needs to keep up with current trends.  I have heard it said that “the Holy Spirit is not marketing-driven.”  While that may be true, Joy 92-FM is a servant ministry to the Coachella Valley and portions of the High Desert.  We exist to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Body here in the desert.  For us to do that, we need to know the desires of His Body ─ and that includes you! 

And that’s why we have enclosed our 2005 KHCS Listeners’ Survey.  It is a tool that we use to find out more about you and your desires for radio programming that will meet your needs.  Please take the time to fill it in and return it at your earliest convenience.  The more responses we receive, the more accurate is our tabulation of the results.  For this reason, if more than one member of your household wants to participate, please make photocopies for their use. 

I would also encourage you to save the cost of a stamp and enclose your most generous contribution to further the listener-supported ministry of Joy 92-FM. 

You will note that this survey does not look like most of those you probably receive in the mail.  You know the type: “I promise to support (ministry) with my gift of $1000__ $500 __ $150 __ $50 __ other __”  No, what you have is a genuine survey, not a fund-raising tool.  We really want  your input!

However, since KHCS is a listener-supported station, and you are a listener, I do need to remind you that your tax-deductible contribution is really needed at this time, before we enter the hot, lean summer months. 

          Please be assured that we squeeze every bit of value out of each contribution that you send.  Some people call me a “tightwad.”  I prefer to think of it as “being a good steward.”  Please let me hear from you soon.

In His joy!

Glen Kippel
General Manager

P.S.  Our goal is to provide maximum ministry to the maximum number of listeners.  It is important that you return your survey as soon as you can.

Click here for a copy of the 2005 Survey

Mailing Address:
KHCS - Joy92
PO Box 2507
Palm Springs, CA  92263