Radio host Chet Buchanan confirms departure from 98.5 KLUC in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Radio host Chet Buchanan has left 98.5 KLUC after 27 years, ending his role as host of the station’s popular annual toy drive that has raised $60 million and collected tens of thousands of bikes and toys over 25 years.

Buchanan announced his departure from the station, where he hosted the KLUC Toy Drive for a quarter century. The charity event helped families who could not afford Christmas presents.

The radio station thanked Buchanan for his dedication to KLUC for the last 25 years in a Facebook post on Friday morning.

The KLUC post said in part, “Your voice, leadership, and commitment to our listeners have helped define KLUC and its role in the Las Vegas community for nearly three decades, and for that we greatly appreciate you.”

“It was just time. It’s just time to step away,” Buchanan said. “I’m not a young guy anymore, and I’ve been doing this for a long time.”

No drama behind departure

Buchanan said there was no conflict behind his decision to leave.

“There’s no drama. I didn’t get fired. I’m not retiring,” he said.

During his tenure hosting the toy drive, Buchanan camped out on a scaffold for a total of 300 days to draw donations.

Future plans and community involvement

Buchanan said he plans to remain active in Las Vegas community work.

“I’ll see you at the ACEs games and I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving. And I’m not retiring. I’ve got too much to do,” he said. “I’m the board president of Project 150. I’m on the board of Help Southern Nevada. I’m on the board of Variety of the Children’s Charity.”

He said he would like to increase his involvement in community events.

Toy drive’s impact

Buchanan reflected on the toy drive’s significance to Las Vegas families.

MORE: Radio host Chet Buchanan reflects on 25 years of Las Vegas toy drive

“The real game changer for me was when I realized we’re saving parents. The idea that a parent would have to look at their kid on Christmas morning and go Santa couldn’t find our house. Santa’s GPS was broken not on my watch,” he said.

A longtime KLUC employee told FOX5 the station intends to continue the toy drive this year.

Buchanan also serves as the public address announcer for the Seattle Kraken and lives part time in Washington.