By paNOW Staff

CKBI and Salvation Army help spread Christmas cheer

Dec 16, 2018 | 9:00 AM

An annual radiothon broadcast on Saskatchewan Country CKBI is about to make spirits bright this holiday season.

The 69th annual Christmas Cheer Broadcast for the Salvation Army hits the airwaves on Tuesday morning.

The broadcast itself is steeped in radio history. Saskatchewan Country CKBI Program Director, Ken Landers, said well known broadcasters Neil Headrick and the late Jack Cennon hosted the show for the majority of its duration.

“The radiothon has really evolved over the years,” said Landers. “We started the broadcast in studio nearly seven-decades ago and eventually we were able to take it out in the community to places like city hall. This year, we’re broadcasting live from the Save On Foods grocery store.”

All of the funds raised go towards Christmas food hampers and toys for less fortunate families. Prince Albert Salvation Army Captain, Laura Van Schaick, said last year they assisted over 500 families and over 1,000 children with Christmas dinner and toys.

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Every family goes through an application process and a means test before they receive a food hamper or gift card. They are also invited to pick a toy for each child under the age of 12 from a make-shift toy store the Salvation Army stocks with donations from the public.

Landers said the event has always managed to raise a good sum of money to ensure the Salvation Army gets everything they need to help others.

“We’ve had amazing stories where somebody was helped by the Christmas Cheer broadcast and returned years later when they were in a better position to give back and make a donation themselves.”

Landers will be joined by morning radio show hosts Christ Knight and Teena Monteleone for the radiothon. Between 8 and 10 a.m.,  listeners can call in to CKBI and pledge their donations.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow