Radio icon's energy inspires his staff, fans

Dick Biondi is 26 hours into his radio marathon session and he's as jumpy as ever.

In between commercial breaks, the 74-year-old Chicago radio icon mingles among the audience settled in to watch him broadcast Saturday during his annual toy drive at Lombard's Yorktown Center.

Next to the radio stage, volunteers bag a steady stream of toys that are being donated by shoppers.

With only six hours to go, Biondi's drive has collected more than 6,000 toys and $9,100 in money that will be donated to a host of area partners including the Lombard-Villa Park Food Pantry and the Uhlich Children's Advantage Network, which supports abused, troubled or neglected children.

And all through the donation drive, Biondi hasn't so much as taken a catnap.

"I don't sleep; I feel like it's cheating," he says.

Meanwhile, his production staff struggles to keep up with that energy.

Matt McNutt, a promotions manager for WZZN, 94.7-FM, sneaked away earlier Saturday morning for an hourlong nap in a mall closet.

"I still feel bad for doing it," he says, a little red-eyed from the combination of a cold and the rigor of his extended shift. "We've definitely been feeding off of Dick's energy."

That energy has drawn Biondi's fans into the mall through the night.

Joyce O'Malley of Bloomingdale came with her two sisters to watch a performance by the Ides of March, one of several musical guests to show up.

"It's all about coming to listen to some good music and help out some kids who need it," O'Malley says. "What's great about this drive is you know this stuff is going to the right places."