University of Wisconsin - Extension

In October, at an awards ceremony in New York, the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences presented an Emmy Award¿ for Community Service to the one-hour documentary, No Greater Love.

Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) was the presenting station to the PBS system for the program that featured dramatic human stories and a powerful call to action in the hope of broadening the public's understanding and acceptance of organ donation and transplant. The documentary that was produced by Banyan Communications/Magnetic North Films of St. Louis, Mo.

WPT coordinated the community outreach on No Greater Love, which included setting up a Web site that offered the opportunity to chat with organ recipients, donors and experts in the field. WPT also produced print materials that were distributed across the country, free of charge, on organ donations and ways to get out the message on the value of the gift of life.

— It is a rare privilege indeed to have an opportunity to do some good with TV, and to be acknowledged for our efforts is doubly thrilling, — said Lynne Blinkenberg, director of community outreach for WPT.

Ten films were nominated for the Community Service Award. No Greater Love was broadcast across the country on PBS in 2002-03 at various times in various cities.

WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay, WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.