September 8, 2025
RED FM News Desk
The waters rose, and with them, a wave of pain and urgency washed over thousands of villages in Punjab, India. But across the miles, in the hearts of the Punjabi diaspora in Canada, a different kind of current began to flow—one of profound generosity and unbreakable connection.
This isn’t just a story about a radio station raising money; it’s a testament to a community that feels the pain of its homeland as its own. Canada’s number-one South Asian radio station, RED FM, became the heartbeat of this compassion.
As final figures are out, RED FM, successfully raised approx. $2.2 million during a special Radiothon fundraiser to help the families devastated by the recent catastrophic floods in Punjab, India.
During a special Radiothon, the airwaves in Surrey, Calgary, and Toronto buzzed not just with music, but with hope. On September 4th and 5th, phones rang off the hook as listeners made heartfelt pledges, but the true spirit of the community was seen in person.
Hundreds of people, from all walks of life, made their way to the RED FM studios. They came to donate not just money, but a piece of their heart. Many listeners wanted to look into the eyes of the staff and the volunteers, to ensure their hard-earned money would truly reach those in desperate need.
Among them were our beloved elders, the first generation who built their lives here but never forgot the land of their birth. Despite their age, they traveled to the stations, their presence a quiet, powerful promise that they would not let their people suffer alone. Their generosity was a deeply personal act of solidarity, a way of saying, “Your pain is our pain.”
The funds, totaling approximately $2.2 million, will be channeled through SAF International, a Surrey-based nonprofit with a proven track record. This partnership ensures a three-phase relief strategy: immediate emergency aid, long-term rehabilitation, and rebuilding support. Every dollar will help restore dignity and hope to families who have lost everything.
RED FM President Kulwinder Sanghera expressed heartfelt gratitude, “In the 19 years we’ve been organizing Radiothons, the response from our community has always been exceptional. The South Asian community continues to step up, time and again, to support those in need.”
Shamandeep Singh, Founder of SAF International, added, “The power and generosity of the Punjabi community is truly inspiring. These donations will bring hope and tangible support to families facing unimaginable hardship. With your continued support, we can bring much-needed relief, restore hope, and help rebuild lives.”
Since 2007, RED FM has raised over $21 million for a wide range of charitable causes, including the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation, Peace Arch Hospital, Guru Nanak Food Bank, PICS Transition House for Women, and Diversity Village.
RED FM has also mobilized funds in response to local disasters such as the Fort McMurray wildfires in Alberta, BC wildfires, and international disasters including the earthquake in Haiti, floods in Pakistan, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and the earthquake in Nepal, reaffirming its commitment to supporting communities both locally and globally.
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