The Comox Valley Child Development Association (CVCDA) Telethon will move back to its old home at the Sid Williams Theatre this fall.
"We have the whole Sid theatre (booked for this year's telethon), so we're hoping that we can encourage people to come down and support the entertainers," says association president Pam Crowe. "We're certainly excited about that downtown presence."
The telethon has been held at the Old Church Theatre since 1998. It moved there when the Sid was closed for some time as it underwent some major renovations.
Crowe says the CVCDA learned in February the Old Church Theatre will be unavailable on the first Sunday of November — which is when the telethon is held each year.
"So, we quickly raced to the Sid (laughs) with panic written on our faces and found that it is available," says a delighted Crowe, noting Shaw TV will still broadcast the eight-hour telethon as it does each year.
However, she also hopes more people will physically come out to the event, as the Sid offers a larger venue.
"We're sort of excited about it now, actually, after getting over the panic," laughs Crowe. "We sort of feel a little bit like we're going back home."
Crowe notes the increase in space means more activities. She says plans are still in the works, but likely there will be some kids activities, such as face painting.
She also points out there will be more room in the foyer for presentations during the telethon. Plus, organizers plan to increase engagement with downtown merchants — since the event will be right downtown — and "make it a truly downtown day event."
The CVCDA Telethon will again feature its well-known traveling raffle basket. As well, there will again be a small silent auction, which Crowe notes the CVCDA keeps small so it doesn't take away from the telethon itself. Any donations from businesses towards the auction or raffle basket will be gladly accepted.
"The merchants in the Valley are extremely generous," she says. "We would love to get donations for that, and of course, if anybody wants to think about doing any event and present the funds at the telethon, that's something we love to encourage."
This year marks the 38th telethon. Crowe notes proceeds raised from the telethon are vitally important to the non-profit society, which serves children who need extra support.
"We topped out at about $83,000, which was fabulous," Crowe says of last year's telethon. "We're certainly hoping to meet that or, of course, we'd like to exceed it, but the Valley's aways very generous...we're hoping to really make a splash at the Sid and light up the town."
For more information, visit www.cvcda.ca or call 250-338-2488.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com