The Aluminum City Telethon (ACT) was created in 1980 to stem the threat of closure by the Child Development Centre. Since then, the Society has continued to raise funds for charitable organizations within the District of Kitimat - essential services to the community. The Child Development Centre, Kitimat General Hospital, Tamitik Status of Woman, Kitimat Home Support Services and many other organizations have all received necessary funding from ACT.
Held at Mount Elizabeth Theatre, the people of Kitimat - all volunteers - provide the entertainment, cover the phone lines, organize the acts, build the scenery and make donations to the largest fundraising event in Kitimat's history. Industry and business donate funds, equipment, supplies, and services for the smooth running of the event. For many years, Skeena Broadcasters provided equipment and personnel to film the event and emcee Doug Smith hosted the event.
ACT 1989 marked a decade of community involvement in the fundraising variety show and a record amount raised of $67,000. ACT president Gerry Deiter said the outpouring of community support showed Kitimat definitely cared. In nine telethons since 1980, Kitimat residents pledged close to half-a-million dollars.
On October 20, 2002, the 23rd ACT raised $54,250 of which $32,750 was contributed to the following community organizations: The Child Development Centre, Kitimat Hospice Society, B.C. Special Olympics, Northern Health Authority, Kitimat Victim's Services and Tamitik Status of Women.
Custodial History
997.6 is a collection of 9 scrapbooks with photographs compiled by Dorothy Cheyne over a number of years and donated on August 27, 1997. 2011.2 is a box comprised of: 13 VHS Tapes, 14 packages negative strips, 291 colour photographs, 24 b&w photographs, 65 colour slides, 15 ACT buttons, 3 other buttons, 1 Participant Ribbon, 12 Kitimat Cares magnets, 6 ACT signs, 1 Kitimat Cares Banner, 2 ACT Tent Cards, and 2 Friends brochure, brought in on January 18, 2011 by Margaret Warcup. 2017.18 is historical material compliled by Mount Elizabeth Theatre and donated on March 5, 2017 by Chiara Guizzo. June 2021 Anne Berrisford brought in posters for ACT 1980 and 1988, as well as an ACT 1997 button, ACT 1980 thank you cards, folder of financial documents, and an ACT pledge of $1000 bag from Overwaitea Foods. All four donors were on the Aluminum City Telethon Committee for a number of years.
The fonds consists of minutes, financial records, correspondence, constitutions, and files pertaining to the Arts and Crafts Fairs, the creation of K.O.A.T.A. and a Juried Art Show. Also includes 4 rubber stamps, and an album containing clippings, pamphlets and photos, gallary forms, Kitimat Community Arts Council logo, and a guest book.
Founded in 1970, incorporated in 1971, the role of the Kitimat Community Arts Council was to increase and broaden the opportunities for Kitimat citizens to enjoy and to participate in cultural and creative arts activities. Some of these activities include Arts and Crafts Fairs, sponsoring cultural performances and lobbying for funding for the Mount Elizabeth Theatre building. The council also sponsored K.A.O.T.A., a store selling local arts and crafts. The council disbanded in 1994.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of minutes, financial records, correspondence, constitutions, and files pertaining to the Arts and Crafts Fairs, the creation of K.O.A.T.A. and a Juried Art Show. Also includes 4 rubber stamps, and an album containing clippings, pamphlets and photos, gallary forms, Kitimat Community Arts Council logo, and a guest book.
Notes
Title based on the contents of the fonds. 2 boxes + guest book.
