Silver Valley Community Christmas Fund to host annual telethon next week
Even cute babies have gotten in on the fun during previous Silver Valley Community Christmas Fund events. This year, at the Shoshone County Courthouse should be a fundraiser for the ages.
JOSH McDONALD
WALLACE –– Shoshone County, it’s that time again. Time for your generosity and sense of community to shine.
Each year, the Silver Valley Community Christmas Fund aims to ensure that no one goes hungry during the holidays – But Shoshone County Clerk Peggy White thinks the need may be greater than ever.
Since its inception in the 1990s, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised to provide holiday meals for local families while also supplementing the Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program.
“Donations received through this event allow us to provide gift certificates to families in need and allow them to purchase holiday dinner items at local grocery stores,” White said. “The amount of the gift certificate depends on the number of family members in the household. In previous years we’ve provided meals to over 1,000 people using these gift certificates. We also donated thousands of dollars annually to our Senior Meals on Wheels program, which has also had to change the way they provide meals to our seniors.”
Funds have been raised in a variety of manners, including the population telethon hosted by KWAL 620 AM Radio and the Shoshone News-Press. But with the radio station closed, and the News-Press no longer operating an office in Shoshone County, White is getting creative with the 2024 edition.
The telethon will return this year with Dave Smith GMC once again as a major donor, it will also include a special event to raise funds at the Shoshone County Courthouse on the 3rd floor.
The event will feature Facebook Live segments with News-Press Editor Josh McDonald, local favorites like Juli Zook, and many others, while White and her staff work the phones to take donations.
“Making ends meet during historic levels of inflation has been tough on a lot of people,” White said. “Families shouldn’t have to go without a nice Christmas dinner. Our community has always looked out for each other, and the consistent success of this fundraiser is a testament to their generosity.”
Annually, the goal of the fundraiser is to hit $20,000 – Which covers the costs of the meals while also making a sizeable donation to the Meals on Wheels program.
Donations can be mailed to Peggy White at Dave Smith Christmas Fund, 700 Bank Street, Ste. 120, Wallace, ID. 83873.
The telethon and special event at the Shoshone County Courthouse are on Wednesday, December 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you would like to make a donation, please call (208)512-3456, (208)784-8889, or (208)512-5089.