In 1974, CHQR radio created “Light up a Child’s Life” in support of the Cerebral Palsy Association. That was the first PLEDGE DAY -- and Calgary's first "radio-athon". As the city grew and children’s needs became more diverse, The Calgary Children’s Foundation was established.  The first Friday each December, Pledge Day takes place-- a 13 hour broadcast that features our charities, and donors.  Listeners are encouraged to make a donation in any amount.

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Since 1992, the foundation has raised money for small children’s charities in the Calgary Area.  Many recipients are not in a position to do large-scale fundraising or sophisticated communications.

Others reach a large number of children-in-need and/or kids who are falling through the cracks because they live at or just above the poverty line. Many of these children need just a small amount of support to see a big result.

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Money raised is used to help provide breakfast or lunch to hungry kids, or bring children together with their peers to talk, play, laugh and enjoy being a kid –regardless of limitations or differences.

 

Support is also provided to kids with very special, often severe physical and/or mental challenges.

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Some programs simply offer a safe place for kids to be after school, while their parents finish up work. Others offer something “larger than life” – such as a summer camp experience. Occasionally, help is provided to children with very specific or “one-off” needs.

 

All of the childrens’ programs we fund help support kids with either one or a combination of all of these challenges:  physical, mental, financial, and/or social. Donations received by the first Friday of December are distributed to local charities in the spring. 90 per cent of the donations go directly to the front lines and 770 CHQR Radio, Associations Plus and the Westin Calgary absorb almost all of the overhead.