The Elves Club Telethon on Dec. 7 brought in more than $30,000 in donations and pledges.
The final total announced at the end of the six-hour Eastlink Community TV broadcast featuring more than a dozen local acts was $30,377. That sum included money brought in through the Crash the Coast boot drive by local first responders who were out at intersections and shopping centre parking lots collecting cash.
Donations that came in after the telethon are still being tallied, but the figure had already grown to $30,659.68 by Tuesday afternoon.
Dec. 11 is the last day for people to submit applications to the Elves, and distribution of the gift cards will take place Dec. 14.
Elves Club president Deb Mowbray said they’re still looking for volunteers to help.
Mowbray said the final number of applications hasn’t been tallied, but the group provided gift cards to nearly 700 households in need last year.
Visit www.elvesclub.ca or email elvesclub@hotmail.com for more information.
Eastlink Community TV is planning to air highlights from Dec. 19 to 31 on channel 10 and 610 (HD).
Another Christmas charity on the Coast is also into the final stretch.
Sunshine Coast Secret Santa, which started seven years ago, raised more than $30,000 in 2018 to provide hampers for 26 local families in need.
The group is planning to make its deliveries on Dec. 20 and 21.
To find out more, visit www.sunshinecoastsecretsanta.com
