THE MAGIC OF RADIO FELT ACROSS ONTARIO AS CORUS RADIOTHONS RAISE $190,000 COLLECTIVELY
August 25, 2023
For Immediate Release. August 25, 2023 – Phones could be heard ringing across Ontario yesterday as Corus radio employees participated in two separate radiothons, surpassing their fundraising goals for both FoodShare and Cornwall Community Hospital, raising $40,761 and $157,685, respectively.
The 640 Toronto Radiothon for Foodshare was the first radiothon hosted by the station in a decade. With an original fundraising goal of $25,000 – which would be enough to launch five new community markets in low-income areas – the team got to work. By 3:45 p.m., 640 Toronto conquered their goal, setting a new one of $35,000 – only to pass it again at 5:00 p.m. Finally, the team hit $40,000 with only 30 seconds remaining in the day.
“640 Toronto was proud to pool its resources to support such an incredible organization that is tackling food insecurity – an issue that, unfortunately, impacts so many Torontonians,” said Amanda Cupido, Director of Talk and Talent, 640 Toronto. “This is one of the strengths of radio – being able to connect to the community and rally listeners around important causes. We were excited to partner with FoodShare, whose vision resonated with the team at 640 Toronto – to build a city where all people can feed themselves, their loved ones and their communities with dignity and joy.”
Listeners came down to visit hosts Kelly Cutrara and John Oakley, who were stationed on-location at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute, as well as host and philanthropist Joan Kelley Walker, who did live hits from the community market.
“FoodShare is over the moon. We’re so grateful to the whole 640 Toronto team and their generous listeners who showed up for food justice today. We’re a small organization with a big impact and so having folks support our work like this is so, so empowering,” said Julie Fiorini, Interim Executive Director, FoodShare Toronto. “Donations allow us to be agile and respond in real time to the food needs of the communities we work alongside. And, having the chance to have so many of our brilliant colleagues and collaborators’ contributions highlighted on air will mean more people in Toronto are aware of the urgent need to tackle poverty and food insecurity, and that doing so is entirely possible if we work together.”
Radio magic was also heard on the Eastern side of the province in Cornwall, Ontario, where 104.5 Fresh Radio and Boom 101.9 also took part in an annual radiothon of their own. Corus Caring Hearts Radiothon in support of the Cornwall Community Hospital surpassed their fundraising goal, raising $157,685. They have now raised a total of over $2 million for the hospital since 2006.
Radio hosts Dan Allaire, Darryl Adams, Victoria Arsenault, Trip VanDorsselaer, Cairo McDonnel and Mr. D were all on-site reporting live on-air as the day went on.
“The generosity of this community never ceases to amaze us. When we put the call out, Cornwall and area answer it time and time again. We could never break a one-day total record as we did today or surpass $2 million total raised if not for the community believing in its Community Hospital,” said Bill Hallman, Program Manager, Corus Radio. “We are grateful to our listeners and and all our sponsors that make this annual event a success.”
The impressive funds raised will go towards the cost of a brand-new fracture table needed in the Cornwall Community Hospital operating rooms – replacing an outdated one that currently exists.
“We knew our radiothon would be an important fundraising kick-off for essential equipment supporting our OR, but we didn’t expect to move the needle so much yesterday,” said Director of the Cornwall Hospital Foundation, Amy Gillespie. “All the effort, engagement, teamwork and of course, Corus Caring Hearts, helped us raise 85% of our goal!”
640 Toronto is accepting donations via Foodshare’s website until August 31, and people can still donate towards the new fracture table and hospital foundation via the Cornwall hospital foundation website.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Instagram: @am640, @1045freshradio, @boom1019cornwall, @foodshareto, @cornwallcommunityhospital
X (formally known as Twitter): @640toronto, @1045freshradio, @Boom1019, @Foodshareto @Cchcornwall
640 Toronto, 104.5 Fresh Radio and Boom 101.9 are all part of the Corus Entertainment Network.
About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. Engaging audiences since 1999, the company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 33 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, digital and streaming platforms, and technology and media services. Corus is an internationally-renowned content creator and distributor through Nelvana, a world class animation studio expert in all formats and Corus Studios, a globally recognized producer of hit scripted and unscripted content. The company also owns full-service social digital agency so.da, lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada, and children’s book publishing house, Kids Can Press. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Magnolia Network Canada, The HISTORY® Channel, Showcase, Adult Swim, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX, along with streaming platforms STACKTV, TELETOON+, the Global TV App and Curiouscast. Corus is the domestic advertising representative and an original content partner for Pluto TV, a Paramount Company, which is the leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service. For more information visit www.corusent.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Anna Arnone, Communications Specialist, Corus Radio
416.219.9273
Rishma Govani, Director Communications, Corus Radio
416.843.8908
