There will be a familiar face back at the helm of the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre’s 37th Share-a-Smile telethon Sunday Nov. 20.
Emceeing the five hour program, which includes an incredible selection of hundreds of online auction items, is former, very popular Penticton radio personality Dennis Walker.
“This year we are so thrilled to have Dennis returning to the community to host the telethon,” said the centre’s executive director Manisha Willms. “Dennis has supported OSNS for decades and he is part of our family.”
Co-host again is Mare McHale who also has very close ties to the centre.
“Mare understands us as both a supporter and a parent,” said Willms.
Last year, the event, which again this year will be live on Shaw TV (Channel 11) and streamed online through the OSNS website raised over $50,000.
Read more: OSNS breaks goal at telethon
“The telethon and online auction is meaningful to OSNS on so many levels,” said Willms. “It’s meaningful for us to show people what it is that we do.
“Helping children seems straight forward but our work here is complex and we are committed to excellence. The support we provide has ripple effects to the overall health of our communities. It starts with our children.”
This year is also meaningful because of the centre’s recent expansion. Having a clientele of 160 children when it opened in 1996, it grew to over 1,200 last year, necessitating the growth.
“We can’t wait to ‘show and tell’ the many faithful donors who made it possible,” said Willms, who added all the money raised go to the children in terms of specialized equipment, more parent training and innovative programs helping children succeed and families better cope.
She once again expressed her appreciation to the many, generous donations from local businesses and community organizations which makes the auction such a success in addition to the donations during the telethon.
“The energy is amazing and our OSNS team is always left feeling humble and grateful that we live in a place where so many people care about the well being of children,” said Willms.
As always there will be plenty of local entertainment during the show and this year’s closing act will be recording artist Beamer Wigley. Anyone wishing to look over the items in this year’s auction or for more information about the centre and its work go to www.osns.org.
