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Founded by amateurs, the Hoot Owls program was non-commercial for its entire broadcast history. KGW accepted no advertising for the program describing it as "Our gift to the public." However, early in the program's history the idea that it should serve a charitable purpose -- probably a sentiment fostered by Bishop Sumner. During the Christmas holiday of 1923 the Hoot Owls set about encouraging listeners to contribute food for the less fortunate and the Portland Police Bureau collected and disbributed the offerings. The effort morphed into the Hoot Owls Sunshine Division and which became a year-round Hoot Owls project. For example, when it was announced during a broadcast that lumber was needed for a worthwhile purpose, a Salem listener sent a wire telling the Hoot Owls to have some meet the train the following morning when a load of contributed lumber would arrive.
