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 December
2006: This month…Media
Darlings
About five years ago, Irv Kipnes of Liquor Depot,
challenged Edmontonians to publish a guide to charitable events for
Edmonton. Irv scooped a publication in Vancouver that carried such a guide and
he knew that our city could use this type of service, as well. He was right.
Edmontonians have responded heartily to the annual guide
that offers organizers and planners an opportunity to showcase their signature
events in print and on-line at no charge. Leaders of commerce and the community
identify their philanthropic favourites to plan personal and corporate
donations; attendees discover which events they may wish to attend over the
year.
We can now say that Edmontonians Social Calendar
is the most comprehensive and unique guide of its type in Edmonton. The listing
of special events is captured by the diligent Elizabeth Blomert who
routes through the city in search of event dates to assist Edmontonians who wish
to dine and dance their way around the charity circuit.
Elizabeth did a yeoman job and, this year, she unravelled
over 165 special events that appear in print and on-line. In the next year,
millions of dollars will be raised in support of 165 charitable organizations
and not-for-profit societies. Thank you, Elizabeth.
Also this month is the feature on
Edmonton’s Media
Darlings by Editor Barb Deters. She spotlights popular ‘emcees’ who
generously take on causes and share their talents to make these charity galas
memorable and entertaining for patrons and sponsors. It’s a gala edition!
.jpg) Feature Story:
The Media Darlings
By Barb Deters
The bottom line? “I always get
more than I give out… it comes back 10-fold. I come away a better person every
time.” So says Carrrie Doll, CTV Edmonton news anchor, regarding her
involvement with charity fundraisers. It is a sentiment shared by her
contemporaries in the media.
Edmonton is blessed with a strong
contingent of popular ‘emcees’ who generously take on causes and share their
talents to make charity galas memorable and entertaining for patrons and
sponsors. They are motivated by personal circumstances and corporate commitment.
Most of what they do is pro bono publico—for the public good.
Edmontonians invited members of
the broadcast media to participate in the 2007 Social Calendar feature. They are
representative of the local media who step-up to raise funds and awareness for
sick children… for cancer research… for excellence in sports… for inner city
projects… for literacy. Whether they are involved in galas, golf tournaments,
runs for a cure or cook-offs, they are motivated to make a difference.
.jpg) Not
surprisingly, CBC at Six sports host Mark Connolly often participates in
sporting events and then hosts the wrap-up banquet. “It comes with the
territory. I also work closely with the Kinsmen Club—I’m a member—on the 65
Roses Dinner in support of cystic fibrosis. But I’m really committed to…
absolutely passionate about cancer related events. Our family has been touched
by cancer so it’s a personal commitment.”
.jpg) Lynda
Steele, co-anchor of Global News, believes members of the media “have an
obligation to give back. We’re in a position to raise the profile of charities.
My preference is to work with smaller non-profit organizations. I’m most
committed to social causes: literacy and domestic violence. I’ve served as the
honorary chair of the Bent Arrow Healing Society for the past two years—it’s
doing positive, hopeful things for aboriginal children and their families.”
Former Big Breakfast host Mark
Sholz now runs his own company, MES Inc. which specializes in hosting,
radio/TV productions and event management. He’s the new Oilers in-house host for
Aquila Productions and can be heard oft-times on CKUA. “I’m doing a lot of
corporate events, but my personal commitment is to mental health (functions) and
the Salvation Army.” In fact, Mark and his fellow “Doughboys”—who have raised
hundreds of thousands of dollars running marathons for the Salvation
Army—recently received the outstanding volunteer ward from the Association of
Fundraising Professionals..jpg)
Magic 99 morning man Rob
Christie returned to Edmonton from Toronto a year ago. He anticipates “2007
will be a lot busier now that I’m settled back in.” He serves on the Caritas
Hospitals Foundation, exemplifying his interest in assisting health facilities
throughout the Capital Region, including the Stollery. “We draw on our own
experiences and interests. Because my wife and I have two dogs, I also want to
become involved with the Edmonton Humane Society.”
.jpg)
Doll is motivated to make a
difference… particularly in her efforts on behalf of the Stollery Children’s
Hospital, the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
and the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. Each has a special meaning to her,
but of Lois Hole she says, “She touched my soul… inspired me to do what I
could.”
Together with these other “media
darlings” that is a lot. Collectively, they have hosted close to 250 events in
the past year—and that does make a huge difference.
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