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.
Photograph of young ladies dancing on stage at the Aluminum City Telethon. Lady with curly hair on far right is Joanne Mueller. Donation total behind them says $1010.
Photograph of young ladies dancing on stage at the Aluminum City Telethon. Lady with curly hair on far right is Joanne Mueller. Donation total behind them says $1010.
The Aluminum City Telethon was started in 1980. The Kitimat Sports Association was approached by the board of directors of the Child Development Centre, and asked for their assistance in raising funds. The idea of a Telethon was agreed on and a committee was formed.
Each year the Telethon executive receives requests from the different non-profit organizations within our own community. They then decide on how to disburse the funds raised that year. after the letters of requests are reviewed and a brief presentation is made to the board of directors explaining how the money received will be spent.
Custodial History
Dorothy Cheyne
Scope and Content
Photograph of a young woman playing drums with the MESS band at the Aluminum City Telethon.
Photograph of Dennis Rudolph and a young woman putting up the donation total numbers at the Aluminum City Telethon. Doug Smith is next to them on the right.
Photograph of Dennis Rudolph and a young woman putting up the donation total numbers at the Aluminum City Telethon. Doug Smith is next to them on the right.
