CJCS hosts 49th radiothon for Christmas Basket fundraiser

Dave Evans and Kevin Fell pose during the 49th CJCS/Kiwanis Christmas Basket Fund RADIOTHON.

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Almost $12,000 was raised during the 49th CJCS/Kiwanis Christmas Basket Fund RADIOTHON on Dec. 12, and there is still plenty of time for the fundraiser to reach its $60,000 goal.

Dave Evans, chair of the organizing committee for the Christmas Basket, said that the initiative was started about 1978 as a way to give back to the less fortunate during the holiday season. Since the station manager of CJCS was a Kiwanian, it seemed like a natural step to host a radiothon.

Since then, the radiothon has become the biggest fundraising day for the Christmas Basket, with members of the community coming from across the Festival City to the station to donate.

Kevin Fell, afternoons/program director with CJCS, said that it’s also a particularly lively day.

“There’re a lot of personalities in these back hallways for most of the day,” Fell laughed. “The building is a little more lively today, a lot more people around, a lot of people buzzing in and out.”

The money goes towards the aforementioned Christmas Basket, which was originally hampers of food given out at Christmas. Now, Evans said that the group gives out gift cards instead. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, about 600 families were assisted. Now, they are up to 1,000.

This year, through the fundraising done last year, over $60,000 worth of gift cards have been distributed through the Salvation Army and the Stratford House of Blessing. Next year, if they don’t meet their goal, they won’t be able to assist as much.

To that end, those interested in donating can do so year-round by dropping a cheque off at the radio station, according to Evans.