BIG 104's Ryan Cote Named 2026 Maine Terrific Ten Broadcaster for Charity Work
The Dresden radio host co-founded the Love Fund, which has raised millions for food banks and soup kitchens in central Maine since the late 1970s.
Radio personality Ryan Cote of Dresden has been named a 2026 Maine Terrific Ten Broadcaster by the Maine chapter of the Spirit of America Foundation, which recognizes community service, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Cote is heard on BIG 104 FM, on frequencies 104.3, 104.7 and 107.7. After noticing growing hunger in Maine in the late 1970s, he helped start the Love Fund, which has raised millions of dollars to help launch food banks, soup kitchens and other charities in central Maine. The fund received the NAB Crystal Award.
Cote is believed to have been the youngest program director at a commercial radio station in Maine while he was a student at USM. He later programmed stations in Portland, did television weather, founded Ear Candy Production to make TV commercials and voice-overs, and worked in afternoon drive at WROR-FM in Boston before returning to WABK as operations director.
The Maine Association of Broadcasters inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2009, and he has served on Red Cross and Family Violence boards. The Kora Shrine has also made him an honorary member in recognition of his many years raising money for the Shriners Hospital.
This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.
