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It's telethon time again!

After 35 years of fun and festivities, organizers of the annual Masset-Haida Lions Telethon still have some new tricks up their sleeves.The event begins at Howard Phillips Community Hall in Masset around 9 am and will run until all items are sold, which usually goes well into the night. Once again, entertainment highlights will include the Haida dancers and Santa Clause, among others.For those who attend the telethon, there are two new opportunities to win this year. Organizer Dave Smith said he's happy to announce a loonie/toonie auction and a 50/50 draw. At $1 per ticket, $10 for an arm length and $20 for two arms length, he's sure it will bring in lots of needed funds and make someone a big winner.Mr. Smith is also hoping that the telethon will be an opportunity for friends and family to get together, even if they don't come to the hall."Because not everyone has satellite dishes, maybe people would like to have a telethon party and get together with neighbors and family members to watch the auction and bid on items," he said.Over the years the telethon has proven to be the Lions' largest fundraiser, Mr. Smith said. Most of the proceeds will go to islanders in need and the Masset hospital, with ten percent going to the Easter Seals House in Vancouver."A lot of our people utilize the Easter Seals House, which is quite a saving for people who can't afford hotels when they need to go to the city for medical reasons," said Mr. Smith.Auction items include a basket of goods from Funk It and a gift certificate from Echo Bay Tool Rentals in Queen Charlotte, a gift certificate and t-shirts from Yakoun River Inn in Port, and a trip for two to Vancouver from Pacific Coastal Airlines."It's uplifting knowing the community is backing us. Every year the island communities come together. If it wasn't for the donations coming in from all over the islands, this event wouldn't be as great as it is," Mr. Smith said.Donations can be dropped off at the Masset village office and volunteers can contact Mr. Smith at 626-7377.