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TREVOR MCNALLY
the tribune

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CAMPBELLTON - The annual Christmas telethon for the Restigouche County Volunteer Action Association is set to go this Sunday from the Restigouche Theatre in Campbellton.

Preparations are in their final stages for the six-hour show, which begins at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on Rogers local television. Despite concerns related to economic changes in the area, Brenda Renouf, the executive director of the RCVAA said she expects the region to support the organization once again.

"I do not know how things will turn out because of the economy," said Renouf.

"I just hope that the people here will be as generous as ever.

The mill and chemical plant in Dalhousie closed about two years ago and fears of further job losses in Dalhousie NB Power aren't helping matters.

"We receive more donations from the public than the rest of the province with our telethon," said Renouf.

Rogers supports food banks by broadcasting annual telethons in the province. Renouf said more is brought in per capita in Restigouche. She added that several large companies in various municipalities in the region participate in expected donations.

"Centres like Sobeys collect toys for us," she said.

"The mill in Atholville and CBDC Campbellton are also active supporters. Balmoral is also involved in providing gifts used for baskets."

Renouf reiterated her confidence in the population of the county, which she said has always been generous to those less fortunate.

The food bank already has many toys for kids of all ages but more are needed as the RCVAA provides more then 500 baskets to needy families at Christmas. Donations are expected right up until Christmas Eve.

This year, the 25th edition of the annual telethon will be broadcast a week earlier than previous years. This will enable anyone wanting to participate to be on hand for the event.

Food banks are also active in Kedgwick, Jacquet River, Dalhousie and Saint-Jean-Baptiste.