Chicago Radio: The Mix Celebrates Chicago River Day

Front row (L to R): Casey McCabe, host of The Afternoon Mix (wearing black hat and sunglasses); Brian “Whip” Paruch; Chris Petlak holding baby Petlak; Amy Rapp with the Petlak children; and Nikki Chuminatto, hosts of The Morning Mix, (holding the Friends of the Chicago River sign)

101.9 MIX staff and listeners joined Friends of the Chicago River this past Saturday for the annual Chicago River Day, volunteering at LaBagh Woods to support local habitat restoration efforts ahead of summer.

The event was part of a month-long campaign led by Morning MIX hosts Chris Petlak, Nikki Chuminatto, and Brian “Whip” Paruch, alongside Casey McCabe from The Afternoon Mix, inviting listeners to participate in community-focused environmental stewardship by removing litter and invasive plant species along the Chicago River.  

“Our partnership with The Mix is essential to the continued success and growth of Chicago River Day,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River. “With support from The Mix, this year’s34th Annual Chicago River Day engaged more than 2,700 volunteers at 88 sites across the Chicago-Calumet River system, making it one of the largest Chicago River Day events in our history. Together, we mobilized communities across the region to remove litter, restore habitat, and take meaningful action for a cleaner,healthier river system.”

“We’re honored to support an initiative that highlights the positive impact local radio can have,” said Chris Eagan, Vice President of Brand and Content at 101.9 The Mix and Throwback 100.3. “When our team and listeners rally around an important cause, it creates a powerful connection that benefits the entire community.

Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people, plants and animals; and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, and easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.