Every time Claire Thompson walks through the doors of CFUZ 92.9 FM, she's assured the future of community radio in Penticton is bright.

The president of Peach City Radio Society was one of more than 50 volunteers on Feb. 8, to celebrate the 92.9's sixth birthday on the FM dial and collect donations for the station's largest fundraiser of the year.

"This is what pays our bills," Thompson said about the weekend fundraiser. "Grants pay for projects, but we don't have grants to pay for our rent."

In two hours on Saturday morning, the volunteer-run, independent network had already raised more than $3,000.

"What we raise today will pay for rent, utilities, web hosting, reproductions rights and to maintain our equipment," Thompson said, adding that the station came into the day with a fundraising goal of $20,000. "Today's the day where we raise it all."

After starting as an online-only streaming show with just a few volunteers in the early 2010s, the station has grown to be a community force on FM from Oliver to Peachland.

CFUZ 92.9, located on Fairview Rd. in Penticton, on the FM dial since 2019.

"Lately, we've seen things really blossom," Thompson said. "People are really passionate about what we do, and that makes it special."

In late 2023, the station began work on a studio overhaul. Volunteers, both on-air hosts and behind-the-scenes technicians, have since been tasked to expand the station by building a second studio and training room.

Thompson hopes the work will be done by the end of 2025.

Talk shows that celebrate Penticton's culture, and the sounds of local artists can be heard on the station every day.

Its most anticipated show of the year aired on Saturday, a 12-hour live broadcast that coincided with the "OnAirversary" fundraiser. Volunteers of the show and their most devoted listeners gathered inside and outside the studio on Saturday to celebrate the day.

"It's a diverse group of people we have doing shows here and that's our goal, to represent our community, and especially when they are voices that you don't usually hear," Thompson said.

"We highlight local people. It's about the community that we build among our volunteers, but also the connections we make across the community."