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Comox Valley Child Development Association Telethon returns to online format

Silent Auction starts Oct. 1; 50/50 raffle starts up soon
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Diane Daigle, Comox Valley Child Development Association board president, draws the winning ticket in the 2020 50/50 raffle. Photo supplied

On Sunday, Nov. 7, the Comox Valley Child Development Association (CVCDA) will host its 46th CVCDA Children’s Telethon from 12 noon to 8 pm.

The telethon will be broadcast live from the Sid Williams Theatre via Shaw Spotlight.

Supporters can be part of the fundraising spirit of the Comox Valley from the comforts of their own home or wherever they are. The event will still be a free, live event for the whole family to view in real-time from a TV or streaming device.

As always, participants can contribute to the CVCDA’s fundraising goals through a number of methods. After going 100 per cent virtual last year, the committee decided to continue offering everything online through the website, including an online donation form, silent auction bidding and 50/50 ticket sales.

“It definitely felt like a scramble in 2020 getting everything up and running once the decision was made to proceed with the 45th Telethon,” said Brooklyn Galloway, CVCDA/Telethon Communications “The planning got started quite late and much of our traditional fundraising methods had become temporarily obsolete in the face of COVID-19 shuts downs and safety protocol requirements. But in the end, we were able to adjust our fundraising strategies and shift to a virtual format. It was bittersweet as we of course missed having the live spectators and community support in person at the Sid Williams Theatre but at the same time, we were pleasantly surprised at our success

“For this year’s event, we are of course still working against COVID-19 and the ever-changing challenges the pandemic has been presenting. Sticking with this virtual concept including no in-person spectators and strictly online fundraising will hopefully once again provide us with a similarly successful outcome”

One of the highlights each year at the Telethon is the CVCDA silent auction. As of Oct. 1, the auction went live (cvcda.ca/telethon) and bidding got underway on more than 50 items. Bidders can check back regularly as new items will be added weekly leading up to telethon.

There is a variety of great goods and services all generously donated by local businesses from throughout the Comox Valley and beyond.

Always popular, are the numerous gift certificates for local dining, spa and salon treatments and great shopping throughout the Valley.

You can check off some of your everyday needs with items like gas, groceries and clothing shopping also included in this year’s auction. Additionally, participants can bid on a number of small home appliances and home decor including cozy blankets and a variety of original art from local artists. Don’t forget to treat yourself and the ones you love with any number of gifts ideas and even a romantic getaway. There is no question you can find something for you and everyone on your Christmas shopping list, while supporting local child development.

The 50/50 raffle will also be an online initiative. Tickets will go on sale starting early October for $5 each. There will be a total of 4,000 tickets available for sale with a chance to win up to a $10,000 jackpot.

Both the auction bidding and 50/50 ticket sales* will remain open throughout the telethon broadcast. Auction bidding will end at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7.

Then, the 50/50 draw will be broadcasted live at 7:45 p.m. All of these fundraising totals will be included in the total funds raised for the 2021 telethon.

For those who would like to contribute by making a monetary donation, there are a number of ways to do so.

Donors can phone in live to the telethon to make a pledge to 250-334-9200 or call any time before or after the event to 250-338-4288. Online donations are also accepted anytime at CVCDA.CA.

The Comox Valley Child Development Association is a non-profit organization locally supporting children, youth and adults with diverse abilities and their families since 1974. In 2020, over 1000 Comox Valley children and their families used services at the CVCDA.

All of the CVCDA’s 16 programs are designed to not only enrich the lives of the people who access these services but also to contribute to a stronger Comox Valley that welcomes and includes everyone who lives here.

Please visit the Telethon online for all details: https://www.cvcda.ca/telethon

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/202126818680666

*Or until al 4,000 tickets have been sold