770 CHQR exceeds fundraising goal during 2022 Pledge Day

770 CHQR kicked off the holiday season by exceeding its $200,000 fundraising goal during its 30th annual Pledge Day on Friday, Dec. 2.

More than $202,000 was raised when phone lines closed at 6 p.m.

Corus Radio’s regional program director John Vos said the donations highlight the generosity of Calgarians. Vos is also the chairman of the Calgary Children’s Foundation.

“It is so great to be here and watch the generosity and random individuals that come in and out… That kind of thing, the connectivity, lights up the holiday season,” he said.

“It’s the smaller charities that we want to help and encourage to get where they need to be.”

Since 1992, Pledge Day has raised money for small children’s charities in the Calgary area that support at-risk kids who need extra care. This is the first in-person Pledge Day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Noor Abdulbaki, program coordinator for Kids Up Front, said she is grateful for the amount of money that has been raised so far for the Calgary Children’s Foundation.

Kids Up Front is a local organization that takes donated experiences such as a hockey game or a theatre experience and redistributes them to deserving children and families through various social agencies like schools and family services.

“Families have been super appreciative and grateful, especially after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve heard extremely positive feedback,” Abdulbaki told 770 CHQR on Friday.

“We’re excited to be here… It’s super incredible so far to see how much money has been raised  since this morning.”

Robbie Babins-Wagner, a regional social worker at the Calgary Counselling Centre, said the funding will help expand counselling and mental health resources for children and youth in Calgary and the surrounding areas.

“We have expanded our services for children and youth and we expect to see a little over 2,000 children by the end of the year,” Babins-Wagner said.

“We want to continue to provide world-class services for children and families, and meet the expanding needs for mental health resources in the community.”

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And donations really do make a difference. Larry Horeczy, chief operating officer of Variety Alberta, used funds from last year’s Pledge Day to build accessible playgrounds all over Calgary.

Variety is a charity that supports disabled youth in Calgary and surrounding areas through community initiatives.

“So many of the (disabled) children could not play with their friends… We reached out to the Calgary Children’s Foundation to make playgrounds more accessible,” Horeczy said.

“Right now, with inflation and supply shortages, building an accessible playground starts at $300,000. When you build fully accessible playgrounds, everyone benefits.”

For more information, visit the official Pledge Day webpage. Those looking to donate can visit the Calgary Children’s Foundation website.