Lions Telethon nets nearly $20,000 for Discovery Health Care Foundation

The Lions Clubs of Zone 3 Clarenville, Bloomfield-Musgravetown, Bunyan's Cove and Random held another very successful Telethon on SCAN-TV on Sunday, March 2nd in support of the Discovery Health Care Foundation and were successful in raising the sum of $19,330 during the seven-hour event.

This year, the Lions Clubs of Southwest Arm, Come-by-Chance, and Sunnyside also participated in the Telethon. The funds raised will go towards the cost of furnishing the private family dining room in the new Long-Term Care Facility being constructed adjacent to the Dr.,G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville.

Despite some technical difficulties which prevented the Telethon from being presented "live" from the Clarenville Lions Den as in previous years, and inclement weather which prevented some of the planned entertainment from getting to the SCAN-TV studio, the event proceeded on schedule with some live, as well as taped entertainment

As well, the event was web-cast over the Internet, a feature which allowed former Clarenville area residents, family and friends anywhere in the world to tune in to the event. This resulted in a number of pledges being phoned in from various parts of the country.

An event such as this involves a large number of people. Peter Godfrey, chair of the Telethon, says the club is grateful to Steve Bonnell and the volunteers Gwen Hiscock and Ed Vincent of SCAN-TV; and to Reg Pretty of Pretty Organized Audio for his assistance in setting up and operating audio equipment throughout the day.

"Special thanks must also go to all our entertainers, those who performed live and those who taped their performances. They made the event as much an occasion as well as a fund-raising activity. "

Godfrey also expressed gratitude to fellow Lions from all the Clubs who contributed their time and efforts, and to members of the Clarenville and Come-by-Chance LEO Clubs for serving as telephone operators for the day.

"It's great to see our young people involved in their community. We must also thank our major corporate sponsors, The Packet and Persona Cable," he adds.

"Most of all, the Lions thank you, our donors. Without your generous financial support, the event would not have been the success it was."

The Lions Telethon has become an annual success story, adds Godfrey. In the past three years alone, this annual event has raised approximately $150,000 for equipment and services at the Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville.

Members of the 2008 Lions Telethon Committee were Peter Godfrey, Chair; Clarenville Lions Bill Butt, Cliff Forward, Joan Forward, Don McPhail, John Metcalfe, Alf Rodway and Brenda Stanford; Tom Janes, Bloomfield-Musgravetown Lions Club; Az Oram, Southwest Arm Lions Club; Gordon Smith, Random Lions Club; Shirley Stead, Discovery Health Care Foundation; and Steve Bonnell, G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital.