Every year, the Union of National Employees selects a charity to support around the holidays. This year, the National Executive chose to focus on the Atlantic region, because it hadn’t been chosen in some time. On Sunday, a $1,000 donation will be presented to Christmas Daddies.
It’s one of the longest-running telethons in North America – and it’s entirely a volunteer effort! Since its debut in 1964, it has helped to raise $27 million to help children from economically-disadvantaged families. The funds go towards the purchase of Christmas gifts, such as toys and clothing – but also towards providing basic necessities such as food, heating and other forms of financial assistance.
The telethons will be broadcast live from Sydney, Halifax, Moncton and Charlottetown this Sunday, December 1.
“It’s not just a Christmas telethon,” explained National Executive Vice-President Eddie Kennedy, who will attend the Sydney telethon. “The money raised will go towards helping anyone who finds themselves in financial need, no matter their religious beliefs.”
While Canada gained over 13,000 jobs last month, many provinces are still struggling with a high unemployment rate. Nova Scotia’s unemployment rate recently climbed to 9.1%. In the past year, only British Columbia and Nova Scotia have seen their unemployment rates rise.
“Cape Breton in particular has been struggling through hard economical times,” said Kennedy, who is also a denizen of the island. “The unemployment rate is above 15% and many families have at least one person who has to travel away just to send money home to support their family.”
The Union of National Employees has been making holiday donations for over a decade now, ever since the union chose to support worthy causes instead of sending holiday cards to members. Last year, the Union of National Employees made a donation to the Inuvik Food Bank.