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Christmas Cheer radiothon set for broadcast

Dec 14, 2017 | 4:00 PM

The 900 CKBI Radiothon for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Hamper Campaign hits the airwaves Friday morning.

It’s the 68th edition of the very popular Christmas Cheer broadcast and Prince Albert Salvation Army Captain Laura Van Schaick said it really is all about bringing some good news to those less fortunate.

“It’s about spreading Christmas cheer to families that are finding things difficult this Christmas time,” she told paNOW. “The broadcast is all about raising funds to support some of these families who would otherwise have a very sad Christmas.”

“We’re assisting over 500 families and over a thousand children with Christmas dinner and toys,” Van Schaick said.

Not all families who’ll receive hampers will be fans of turkey and the trimmings. That’s where the gift cards come in.

Another important aspect of the hamper is the toys. The Salvation Army will have a toy store set up from Dec. 18 where those registered recipients can pick out a gift for each child 12 years and under.

Those who qualify for a Christmas hamper had to register by the end of November.

“Each family has gone through an application process with our workers and go through a means test,” she said. “We also collect info on the ages and gender of their children and also build a relationship with the family.”

Ken Landers, the program director for 900 CKBI will be joined by morning show hosts Chris Knight and Teena Monteleone for the radiothon. Between 7 and 9 a.m. listeners can call in to CKBI and pledge their donations.

Landers said the event just has to be done each year “because the need is there. Every year our audience never lets us down. We always manage to raise a good sum of money to ensure the Salvation Army gets everything they need to take care of those who require assistance.”

 

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On TWitter:@princealbertnow