News-Press to host Silver Valley Community Christmas Telethon
Chanse Watson, Sarah Murphy and Chelsea Newby at the 2021 Silver Valley Christmas Fund Telethon held at the Shoshone News-Press.
Courtesy photo
OSBURN — It may not be being broadcast over the radio anymore, but the Silver Valley Community Christmas Fund is continuing on at its new home.
Brought to you by the Shoshone News-Press and Dave Smith-Chevrolet, readers and listeners far and wide are invited to be a part of the annual Silver Valley event on Wednesday, Dec. 7 by keeping an eye on the News-Press Facebook page from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Going on 25 years now, the event has historically raised money to provide for local families that may have trouble putting dinner on the table this holiday season.
In lieu of bringing people on the radio, like KWAL's George White and Paul Robinson used to do when they first founded the fundraiser, staff will be conducting interviews that will be posted on the News-Press Facebook page.
In addition to raising money for a good cause, this year’s telethon will be carried out in remembrance of one of those founders.
“Our hearts are a little heavier this year, with the recent passing of local icon George White, we really want this year's fundraiser to be the biggest ever — in his honor,” said News-Press Local Editor Josh McDonald. “George was so instrumental in his involvement with the radio station, as well as his passion for his community, we just want to be a part of something that he would be proud of. Which is why we're setting our goal for this year at $25,000, which would be the highest total we've ever reached.”
The telethon is set to have a variety of guests that will stop by to entertain and challenge others to donate. All donors are encouraged to stop by the News-Press office and visit with staff and other contributors.
Phone operators at the News-Press office will also be making calls to folks in the community and asking for any sort of donation for the cause.
The money raised from the event goes toward purchasing food vouchers for local families that may have trouble putting dinner on the table this holiday season. These vouchers can be used at specific local grocery stores that include Yoke's in Kellogg, Barney’s Harvest Foods in Pinehurst, Grocery Outlet in Smelterville, IGA in Osburn and Harvest Foods in Wallace.
If there’s any money left over after all the voucher requests have been filled, the remainder is donated to the Osburn-based Meals on Wheels program foundation.
When the News-Press hosted the event for the first time in 2018, the event raised north of $20,000 — far surpassing the initial goal of $15,000.
Event organizer and Shoshone County Clerk Tamie Lewis-Eberhard said that organizers were able to raise more than $24,000 in contributions last year, enabling them to provide meals to 1,046 people in the Silver Valley.
“We also donated $7,000 to our Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program which provides home delivered meals to our senior citizens,” she added. “Your contributions made all this possible and I’m hoping you will help us achieve great success in 2022.”
If you would like to donate to the cause, contact the News-Press office on Wednesday, Dec. 7 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 208-752-1120 or call the County Clerk’s Office at 208-752-1264. The News-Press office is located at 620 E. Mullan Ave. in Osburn.
Donations can also be mailed to the Shoshone County Clerk’s Office at 700 Bank St., Suite 120, Wallace, ID 83873. Checks should be made out to “Dave Smith Christmas Fund.”