Bayshore Broadcasting Directors Sue O’Reilly, Ian Solecki and Kevin Brown in the 560 CFOS Dave Carr studio. (Photo by Nathan Shubert)
The 82nd annual 560 CFOS-Sun Times Christmas Broadcast is hitting the airwaves this weekend to raise funds for local charities.
Bayshore Broadcasting Managing Director Kevin Brown says this year’s campaign will kick off with an advance drive and an on-air auction on Friday on 560 CFOS, Mix 106.5 and Country 93.
The Christmas Fund Broadcast itself will feature marathon of recorded local talent from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5. It will be conducted from the 560 CFOS studios on 9th Street East again this year, instead of at the Roxy Theatre.
“Although Ontario and our Grey Bruce area is making progress in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, challenges still remain and we felt it was best to keep this year’s broadcast ‘virtual’ once again in order to keep everyone safe,” says Brown.
Local performers submitted recordings of songs which will be aired over CFOS during the broadcast, along with the usual pledge readings.
Brown says a number of charities have expressed concern that this upcoming year will see record demand on their services and initiatives as our residents and communities struggle to deal with a host of challenges such as rising food, heating, gas and supply costs, in addition to staying safe from the virus.
Last year’s event was able to raise $40,000 during the broadcast, and eventually brought that up to $48,000 in the following weeks.
The hope is to raise more than $50,000 this year.
Donations and pledges can be made during the broadcast by calling in, or at any RBC branch in Grey Bruce until the end of January.
“Our broadcast has become entrenched into Owen Sound’s history and listening to it has become a tradition for many. In homes throughout the twin Counties, the broadcast gave people a chance to listen to local holiday music, safely in their homes, while perhaps putting up their Christmas tree and singing along,” says Brown.
Funds will be divided equally among 23 local charities that rely on the fund broadcast to assist them in their work with children, youth and seniors:
-Beaver Valley Outreach (Food Bank) Thornbury
-Big Brothers Big Sisters Grey Bruce
-Bruce Grey Child & Family Services Foundation
-Brucelea Haven (County Home) Walkerton
-Crime Stoppers
-Gateway Haven (County Home) Wiarton
-GRACE
-Grey Gables (County Home for the Aged) Markdale
-lntertownship Firefighters Toy Drive
-Meaford Food Bank & Outreach
-Keystone Residence Program for Youth at Risk
-Lee Manor (County Home) Owen Sound
-OSHARE
-Owen Sound Firefighters Toy Drive
-Participation Lodge (physical and developmental disabilities) Holland Centre
-REACH Centre
-Rockwood Terrace (County Home) Durham
-Salvation Army (Food Bank) Owen Sound
-Safe’N Sound (Homelessness lnitiative) Owen Sound
-St. John’s Ambulance
-Victim Services Grey-Bruce
-The Women’s Centre (Emergency Shelter) Owen Sound
-Women’s House Serving Bruce & Grey (Emergency Shelter)
Note: Bayshore Broadcasting is the owner of this news website.
