Cindy Cox
Coaster Correspondent
Telethon goes Live!!!!
On Saturday, May 7th, the St. Alban’s Fire and Rescue members held their annual telethon.
This year, for the first time, anyone from around the world was able to view the whole day of events on a streaming live broadcast through Justin.tv. Family and friends were able to view the wonderful entertainment, interviews and donate online using their credit cards.
This year’s proceeds are being used to purchase a hovercraft to be used for rescue operations. These machines have the ability to travel over land, water and ice. While being restricted in ice rescue operations according to the length of rope they have at their disposal, a hovercraft would enable the rescuers to travel anywhere over ice not safe enough to walk on.
The St. Alban’s Firettes answered the telephones and issued receipts. Through their fundraising efforts over the past year, the Firettes donated $3000.00 to the telethon. They are an amazing group of volunteers who are always there to support their local fire department.
The St. Alban’s Lions Club was another group who made a generous donation of $1000.00 along with the Lioness members who donated $500.00. The firefighters went door to door to collect the pledges.
Last year the children from RabbitTown Road collected pennies from all the children and adults and presented them that day as a group. They then challenged other streets to participate in this year’s event to try and match or beat their amount. Ruston Avenue answered the challenge and raised $317.44 while RabbitTown Road brought in another amazing amount of $425.00. In total, the two groups had collected over 74,000 pennies for this wonderful event – a fantastic $742.44 was raised in collecting pennies only.
The Justin.tv website had views up to 1,292 by days end and a constant number of people living away were following the event live. People as far away as Fort McMurray, Ottawa, and St. John’s called in pledges. It was amazing to see such wonderful support both near and far.
After just five hours on the air, a total of $16,697.77 was raised. Fire Chief Frank Collier in closing thanked everyone who supported the telethon, provided entertainment and participated in the interviews. He also thanked the St. Alban’s Recreation Committee for the use of their facilities as well as SACC-TV for access to their network equipment.
.jpg)
