HALIFAX — Eastlink announced today it has helped 11 communities it serves across Canada raise more than $1 million for families in need this holiday season through telethons broadcast by Eastlink Community TV.
“While our commitment to support the communities we serve is year round, it is especially important during the holiday season, when the need is heightened,” says Eastlink CEO Jeff Gillham, in a press release.
“Add to that the unprecedented challenges of the past nearly 2 years and the work our communities are doing through initiatives like telethons takes on a whole new level of critical importance.”
As part of Eastlink’s larger community fundraising partnerships, which, according to the press release, “help raise over $3.5 million for communities and non-profit organizations across Canada each year,” local telethons bring much-needed support to families this time of year, the company says.
“One of the most meaningful ways we can help our communities is by connecting local, charitable organizations with the rest of the community through activities like broadcasting telethons on Eastlink Community TV,” says Michael Smith, vice-president of Eastlink TV.
“Although Covid has changed the way we do nearly everything, cancelling these telethons simply wasn’t an option. We knew we had to find a way to continue to make these happen, however modified they needed to be.”
Some of the organizations that have broadcast telethons on Eastlink Community TV include the Pictou County Christmas Fund (PCCF) in Nova Scotia and the Elves Club in British Columbia.
“For more than 45 years Eastlink Community TV has been broadcasting the PCCF telethon. During that time, we have raised well over a million dollars for our people here in Pictou County,” says Monique Sobey (above, left), co-chair of the Pictou County Christmas Fund.
“We were worried that Covid would impact our ability to continue to support our community in this way but Eastlink Community TV has been by our side every step of the way, finding creative ways to adapt and keep this going. They have been key to our ability to help those in need in our community,” Sobey says.
“The Elves Club works closely with Eastlink to raise much needed funds for families in need on the Sunshine Coast,” says Elves Club treasurer and secretary Aliese MacKenzie.
“People receiving these donations have told stories of life changing impacts from good food to just being able to stay warm. Not only are the Elves helping families in need at Christmas but this also helps the homeless by providing warm clothing during the cold weather season.”
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Photo provided by Eastlink.
