Christmas Fund Telethon raises more than $20K
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD Shoshone News-Press editor Chanse Watson films the Kellogg High School Jazz Band during their mini Christmas concert in the SNP parking lot.
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD Mike Dexter (blue sweater) has a roundtable discussion with Peggy White, Chanse Watson, Tamie Eberhard and Keri Alexander following the Hecla Charitable Foundation’s generous $2,000 donation.
Photo by JOSH MCDONALD Sheriff Mike Gunderson found himself on the other side of the bars, but quickly bailed himself out during the Dave Smith Christmas Fund Telethon.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Juli Zook and Bill Scudder interview Master and Miss Snowflake Jase Rose and Livy Finlay.
Photo by KERI ALEXANDER Melba Bencich and Peggy White grab a picture together during the Dave Smith Christmas Fund Telethon. Bencich donated a lot of time working the phones for donations.
Photo by KERI ALEXANDER Alex and Matt Hall with HMH Engineering stand with Peggy White after they generously donated $1,500 to the Dave Smith Christmas Fund Telethon.
Photo by KERI ALEXANDER Mayor Mac Pooler kind of enjoyed his time in the Shoshone News-Press’s jail. But in the end his wife bailed him out.
Photo by KERI ALEXANDER Osburn City Councilman Pat Specht did a little hard time in the Shoshone News-Press jail, but he generously posted bail.
By JOSH MCDONALD
Staff Reporter
OSBURN — Whenever a long-standing event gets any sort of makeover, there is cause to worry that it may not live up to its former glory. In the case of the Dave Smith Christmas Fund Telethon though, it appears that any doubts that were there are out the window.
After 21 years of partnering with the KWAL radio station in Osburn, the Dave Smith Christmas Fund Telethon found a new home this past Tuesday at the Shoshone News-Press office, where instead of live radio waves putting out the calls for donations — it was done through social media,
Since the late ’90s, the event has raised money to provide for local families that may have trouble putting dinner on the table this holiday season. All the money raised has always stayed in Shoshone County and any extra funds that are not spent are donated to the local Meals on Wheels foundation.
This year’s initial goal was set at $15,000, but as of Wednesday afternoon, the total had breached $20,000 and was still climbing.
Throughout the daylong event, the News-Press staff worked with current Shoshone County Clerk Peggy White and Clerk-elect Tamie Eberhard to take calls and conduct interviews with several guests at the SNP’s office in Osburn. Many of these guests had encouraging messages about their communities, encouraged folks to donate and even donated themselves.
From local mayors and emergency service officials to commerce directors and group liaisons — the day had no shortage of local star power.
It didn’t take long to see that the telethon was going to be just fine in it’s new home, as donations poured in from many generous local families and businesses.
For News-Press publisher Keri Alexander, this an event that was able to demonstrate the heart and kindness of the community, and was also a fun way for the SNP to give people a chance to see and hear from some of their favorite locals.
“Our community never stops amazing me,” Alexander said. “Generous contributors just kept coming in throughout the day and everyone who shared their time to go on camera and encourage their colleagues, friends and family to pledge whatever they could to this great cause seemed endless. The icing on the cake was having Paul Robinson and George White stop in and share their stories from the past 20 years of hosting this annual fundraising event.”
One of the biggest highlights of the event was the Lunchtime Christmas Variety Hour, where guest hosts Juli Zook and Bill Scudder were able to speak with local actress Savannah Hartenfels, Master and Miss Snowflake Jase Rose and Livy Finlay respectively.
Following those guest appearances was a performance from the Kellogg High School Jazz band, who put on a six-song Christmas set for viewers to tune into and watch.
“We are so grateful to have had two fabulous co-hosts Juli Zook and Bill Scudder lead our Lunchtime Christmas Variety Hour, and Peggy White and Tamie Eberhard working those phones, securing pledges and contacting folks from 9 a.m. right up to 5 p.m.,” Alexander said. “The telethon was a huge success and we look forward to partnering with Dave Smith Motors Christmas Fund Telethon again next year.”
This event was part of a new venture from the Shoshone News-Press, who hope to bring even more live digital content to our readers and followers in 2019.
Please go to the Shoshone News-Press Facebook page and check out all of the fun videos from throughout the Dave Smith Christmas Telethon.
If you would like to donate, please send a check to the Shoshone County Clerk’s Office at 700 Bank St., Suite 120, Wallace, ID 83873.