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Share a Smile Telethon live-streamed this Sunday

OSNS supports children with developmental challenges
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Peyton Burton-Otteson and Gia Han along with OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre mascot Otis have some fun practicing for last year’s 40th annual Share a Smile Telethon at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre. (File photo)

The 41st annual Okanagan Similkameen Neurological Society (OSNS) Share a Smile Telethon and Online Auction will take place at the OSNS’s child and youth development centre this Sunday (Nov. 22).

The yearly event moved to Cherry Lane Shopping Centre two years ago.

However, the event will be a little different this year; due to the coronavirus pandemic the telethon will be broadcast and streamed online from the OSNS building which is located beside Penticton Regional Hospital.

Physically distanced phone panels and host Chad Mielke will be on hand to introduce pre-recorded performances specifically for the event and to guide viewers through the importance of pediatric habilitation services in the South Okanagan.

All funds raised will go to support the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre.

OSNS executive director Manisha Willms says they’ve embraced the change.

“So many things look different this year. What doesn’t look different is the enthusiastic support of our OSNS family – donors, performers, parents and team. Everyone has come together to put on an innovative ‘mostly virtual’ event,” Willms said.

READ MORE: Penticton’s OSNS facing financial crisis amid COVID-19

Shaw is once again a main partner and will be broadcasting the event from 4 to 7 p.m on Sunday. The online auction will also be back with over 90 items donated by local businesses.

The event’s goal is to reach $50,000 raised to support equipment and programming for children with developmental challenges. Last year the event raised $50,000 and $100,000 in both 2018 and 2017.

Performers will include Beamer Wigley, Aidan Mayes, Oliver Elementary and “many more individuals and groups.”

There will also be interviews with children, parents, donors and service groups who support OSNS.

The Online Auction is now open, to participate follow the auction link on osns.org. Some of the more notable items up for auction include a Space Shuttle and Satellite Laser donated by Sirius Science and Nature, gift cards for various local businesses including Canadian Tire and Rona, a child’s Norco bike and a consultation with Inside Out Kitchens valued at $1000. The auction deadline is Sunday (Nov. 22) at 7 p.m.

Residents can also view the telethon Sunday on Shaw cable and live-streamed through osns.org.

The OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre serves over 1,600 children annually in the South Okanagan Similkameen. They provide treatment services for children with developmental challenges and programs for children of all abilities.

READ MORE: ‘We’re all in this together’ says Penticton organization amid COVID-19 pandemic



jesse.day@pentictonwesternnews.com

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Jesse Day

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