CBC Calgary's annual Blitz Day pushes fundraising past $1M for Calgary Food Bank
Calgarians turned out Thursday to help the station raise $1,114,638
By the time the event wrapped up at 6 p.m., Calgarians had contributed $1,114,638.05 to the month-long campaign. The goal for Blitz Day was to reach the $1 million mark, although online donations for the campaign will continue until Dec. 31.
We hit the 1 MILLION dollar goal for the <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCCalgary?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCCalgary</a> Make the Season Kind campaign! Thank you to the Calgary community! <a href="https://t.co/8JPMG2xuF1">pic.twitter.com/8JPMG2xuF1</a>
—@CalgaryFoodBankMichael Pasma, interim president of the Calgary Food Bank, described the day as "exhilarating," as he watched both large companies and young children contribute to the cause.
"We come in in the morning, and we're not sure if we're gonna make that goal, and then you just see it build through the day and you go through all those emotions," he said. "It's awesome."
Helen Henderson, CBC Calgary's senior director of journalism and programming, said the station is grateful for Calgarians' support in a year that's been tough for many.
"The donations, the acts of kindness, and the encouragement we got from our audience brought so much joy to the season," she said. "Southern Albertans always come through for one another."
Calgary Eyeopener
Thursday marked the first time in three years that the event was back to fully in-person.
The day began with the Calgary Eyeopener, which drew in crowds early in the morning, with visitors generously contributing to the cause in their own way.
At Lee Mah, a 14-year-old entrepreneur who has donated on Blitz Day for the last five years, runs SodaKid Inc., a SodaStream cannister exchange service. He donates one dollar of each sale to charity, including $2,200 to the Calgary Food Bank this year.
Malcolm Knapp-Durante is another Calgarian who visits Blitz Day each year, always sporting a festive holiday jacket. He collects bottles and brings them to the bottle depot. This year, he contributed $350 to the cause.
Many Calgarians also continued to support the campaign by purchasing a unique bag of Fratello coffee beans, called One Knight Only, produced and donated by the roastery for the cause. The purchase includes a special-edition mug featuring all of the "favourite things" of traffic and weather reporter Angela Knight. All proceeds go to the food bank.
Maureen Patton arrived with her sister to each buy a few bags.
"I'm always in support of the food bank," Patton said.
Alberta at Noon
Alberta at Noon broadcast its daily, provincewide call-in program live from the CBC Calgary lobby.
As part of a now yearly tradition, host Judy Aldous asked listeners to swap their favourite holiday memory for a performance by Charms, made up of Megan Konschuh and Denis Dufresen, a husband-and-wife duo.
Listeners shared poems, stories and holiday traditions as part of the special program.
WATCH | Get a small taste of the performance Charms gave Thursday:
Janet Preston came out to hear the music over the noon hour as well as support the food bank.
"It's an incredible way of giving, especially this Christmas. There's so many less fortunate," she said.
The Homestretch
The Homestretch team wrapped up the day. Participants were asked to come down to the station with a monetary donation or a non-perishable food item. With the help of those that came, and a few large cheques from area businesses, the $1 million goal was reached.
Sharon Hinayo-Nolasco visited Thursday afternoon to share her own story.
"I am not shy to say that I used to be a food bank user, and now I am giving back to the community and asking family and friends to get involved in the community and to be part of this because I know that kindness has its own ripple effect," she said.
Her 12-year-old daughter, Allysha Nolasco, stood by her side.
"I just love, love helping people a lot," the girl said. "I would like to thank my mom for bringing me along."
Make the Season Kind
There are still several other ways to take part in the fundraiser, including ongoing bakery sales and auctions.
Donation drop-offs will continue to be accepted weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from noon to 2 p.m. until Dec. 22 at the Parkdale Community Association, 3512 Fifth Ave. N.W.
The final campaign tally will be announced on the Calgary Eyeopener on Jan. 4.
WATCH | If you're not sure what to donate, watch this quick video with some tips:
