Lions Telethon: new partners, same spirit of giving

Every year, the requests for support from the Lions Children's Christmas Telethon have increased, and two new partnerships, with CogecoTV and Country 600 radio will help broaden the audience, says event chair, Joe Daniel.

"Through broadcasting on CogecoTV (channels 12 and 700), as well as over the radio on Country 600, we are looking to grow the reach of the Telethon and meet the increased need by hitting our target of $40,000," said Daniel.

This year's hosts are KFM's Dean Belanger, 101.9 ROCK's Vicki Tyler and Mitch Belanger, and CogecoTV's Greg Estabrooks, Clarke Heipel and Matthew Sookram.

Estabrooks says that he is honoured to act as a co-host and that CogecoTV is "thrilled" to be involved and to have the opportunity to broadcast the Telethon live. 

The veteran news anchor and producer noted that the Lions Telethon is an institution at Christmas time in the area, having witnessed its varying incarnations over the years. Estabrooks notes that the event's return to the radio airwaves is also an exciting development.

Dozens of acts will perform live on Saturday, and volunteers will be on hand to take calls from donors. The Telethon will be broadcast from the studio at Canadore College, and the event doubles as a learning exercise for Canadore's School of Media.

Working alongside professional mentors from CogecoTV and Rogers radio, students will contribute to all aspects of the broadcast, including on-air interviews, video, sound, lighting, and editing.

Second-year Video Production Program student Mike Lorusso relayed that the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting is invaluable. Lorusso, also a decorated volunteer for CogecoTV, added that "the Telethon gives students a sense of giving back to the local community at a time of year when many families struggle," while witnessing the neighbourly generosity that the season brings.

Yura Monestime, Interim Associate Dean of Media, Design and Dramatic Arts said in a release that, "This is experiential learning at its very best. This broadcast gives students a taste of what it's like on a real set and the live aspect adds complexity and pressure, giving them a real sense of what it's like in the industry."

The Lions have hosted the annual Christmas Telethon to raise funds in support of families in need from Argyle, Astorville, Bonfield, Burk's Falls, Callander, Corbeil, Kearney, Mattawa, Powassan, Restoule, Sundridge and Trout Creek for over 60 years.

The Lions Children's Christmas Telethon airs live on CogecoTV (channels 12 and 700) and CKAT 600 AM, and online at  www.canadoretv.com from 2-11 p.m. Saturday. Canadore students will also be live broadcasting behind-the-scenes to the Telethon's Facebook page.

Donations can be made online by PayPal here. Pledges will be taken by telephone at 705-472-4420.