These businesses are the signature sponsors of the 2008 Friends of WSIU Fantasy Auction. John Forbes knows a good investment when he sees one. That's why he's invested heavily in WSIU Public Broadcasting.  "WSIU is such a valuable resource," he says. "Like many things we enjoy, all too often we take them for granted. We just assume that WSIU will always be there and we forget that it takes our participation and commitment to ensure that public radio and television thrive in our region." Forbes owns and operates Forbes Financial Group, an investment firm specializing in identifying and implementing personalized financial solutions for clients. Forbes, an SIUC alumnus, has been a corporate underwriter of WSIU Public Radio for over a decade and has helped the stations to attract other underwriters from the WSIU listening and viewing areas. Forbes also volunteers regularly during member drives to encourage audience members to get involved and support the stations. Moreover, he has served as a member of the Friends Board of the WSIU Stations and on the Auction Steering Committee. Forbes and his team, including fellow SIU alum Joel Sambursky, know that investing is not a one-size-fits-all proposition and offers solutions tailored specifically to individual objectives. He works closely with clients to develop long-term investment plans that will help them reach their goals while making necessary adjustments along the way. This spring, Forbes is celebrating his fifth year as a WSIU Auction sponsor and believes that by investing in WSIU, he also is investing in his community and the entire region. "The WSIU Auction is a wonderful event. It truly is a celebration of the role our public broadcasting stations play in southern Illinois," he says. "It's a great evening - a chance to visit with friends and have a good time while supporting this treasured community asset." For more information about the Forbes Financial Group, contact John or Joel at (618) 529-1940. Or visit their website at www.forbesfinancialonline.com. Dr. Zahoor A. Makhdoom and his team at Southern Illinois GI Specialists have been providing quality healthcare services to the region since 2000. One of only two gastrointestinal specialists serving the Southern Illinois area, his medical group aims to make available the same quality of services and technology found in urban centers such as Chicago and St. Louis. Dr. Makhdoom addresses medical conditions of the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. "We serve many patients across large portions of the heartland and feel privileged to be able to provide our services to the area," says office manager, Marsha Turner. "We are also a family-oriented facility and strive to make sure our patients feel as comfortable here as they would at home." A board-certified physician of internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Makhdoom specializes in gastrointestinal problems such as reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer prevention, and chronic liver disease. In addition to his own practice, Dr. Makhdoom works closely with Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, and Herrin Hospital. A longtime supporter of WSIU, Dr. Makhdoom is very pleased to continue his Friends of WSIU Auction Sponsorship and also to participate as a WSIU Radio underwriter. His family listens to WSIU Public Radio and watches WSIU Public television regularly. He supports public broadcasting not only because of the value it brings every day to his own family and staff members, but also as an investment in education for the entire region.  Dr. Makhdoom sums up his belief in WSIU as a matter of trust and quality. "I know that what I hear on WSIU is unbiased - it's information I can trust. I have confidence in everything I see and hear from WSIU, and I have confidence that my children can listen at any time, and it will be safe and educational for them."  For more information, contact Dr. Makhdoom's office at (618) 549-8006 or visit their offices in Carbondale on West Diann (off Striegel Road), or in Herrin on Park Avenue.