Coming together for the holidays
New Waterford rallies around annual Combined Christmas Giving Telethon and Auction each year
When you think of the holidays, what is the first thing that comes to mind? For many, the thought of giving and spending time with family and friends around the fireplace comes to mind.
But in New Waterford, residents know there’s work to be done before they deck the halls, set up the Christmas tree and break open the eggnog to celebrate the season with their loved ones.
For 22 years, the New Waterford community has rallied around the annual Combined Christmas Giving Telethon and Auction, an event each year that raises money for families in need during the holidays.
The event was started in 1994 by members of the New Waterford community, with the goal of helping less fortunate families in the community. At first, the show was taped and featured hosts Jennifer Sheppard, Wendie Muise, Jack Bonaparte and Robert Barrie, before eventually turning to live shows.
Since the beginning of the event, the New Waterford community, through Combined Christmas Giving, has raised over $439,408.63, helping 15,163 families and 14,792 children, along with 23,452 singles and couples, an impressive total for a community the size of New Waterford.
The annual event has a resemblance of the well-known Christmas Daddies Telethon. The telethon is aired live on Seaside Communications, however, members of the community are welcome to attend the event and can make donations on location or by phoning in their pledges through the event’s hotline. Residents are then asked to honour their pledges at local banks.
Families, who apply for assistance through Combined Christmas Giving, receive toys for their children as well as a turkey and a gift card for Sobeys to get anything else needed in order to make their Christmas dinner one they will never forget through the initiative.
Although the pledges are a major part of the success of Combined Christmas Giving each year, one can’t forget those behind the scenes who organize the event each year as well as those who donate their time to help. The committee deserves to be recognized for their dedication to our community.
As part of the telethon, many local musicians donate their talent with live performances to entertain those in attendance as well as watching on television and through the online stream. Not to mention, the local volunteer fire department helps with the event each year, as firefighters make time out of their busy schedules to help answer the phones and collect pledges.
Aside from the telethon aspect, an auction also takes place each year, after the cameras are off, with businesses from across the community and the island donating items as a way of giving back and being part of Combined Christmas Giving, with that money as well going to families in need.
Last year, Combined Christmas Giving helped 227 families, seniors and individuals, including 254 children. A total of 28 families were also adopted as part of the event, which raised more than $50,000, well above the organizing committee’s goal of $40,000.
As a proud New Waterford resident, it doesn’t get much better than seeing the community coming together to help those in need. It doesn’t matter the size of the donation, residents are encouraged to donate what they can, and have certainly answered the call for help over the past 22 years, something I’m sure will continue this year and in future telethons.
Another thing that makes the telethon special, it’s not just local residents that make pledges. Over the years, many former residents living away from town have made their gen-
erosity known, with donations coming from across Canada, especially Alberta. It goes to show that just because you leave New Waterford for whatever reason, most times because of work commitments, former residents don’t forget where they’re from and make sure they continue to support their hometown.
The Combined Christmas Giving committee has held two application days for those seeking assistance this holiday season and the committee already expects the need for help will be greater than ever this year. To date, the committee has received 131 applications from families, seniors and individuals, surpassing last year’s first two application days, where the committee had 104 applications.
The final application day will be held today, Saturday, Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army hall in New Waterford. Those applying must have heath cards as well as proof of income.
The Combined Christmas Giving Telethon will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Rack N’ Roll Billiards, Plummer Avenue, New Waterford. The telethon will run
from 1-6 p.m., followed by the inhouse auction.
With seeing the increase of applicants of those needing help this holiday season, I’m sure,
like every year, the New Waterford and surrounding community will once again accept the challenge and raise enough money to ensure everyone in our community has a wonderful Christmas. I certainly encourage everyone to make a donation and honour their pledge for this worthy cause.