(Alexandria, MN) — December 11th, 2022 — For the past 74 years, the Jingle Bells Foundation in Alexandria has raised money to help those in need during the holiday season. This years Telethon happened on Saturday night, December 10th. During the 5 hour broadcast from 5-10pm, they raised $99,111.00. Additional money is expected to arrive as donations are open to the end of the year.
The money used to buy toys and food baskets which are delivered the following day. Hundreds of volunteers show up to plan the show, perform in the show and then deliver baskets. The show includes dozens of acts including singing Santa’s, Christmas Carolers, dancers and family bands. Most are local, but some travel to be a part of the broadcast each year.
Photos from Jingle Bells 2022
The event was started by the Alexandria Jaycees in 1949 on local radio station KXRA. The Jingle Bells Telethon then moved to local television KCMT in 1958 and to KCCO and KSAX in later years. The broadcast is now available live and in person at the event, on the internet, and on local access stations across central Minnesota. People tune in and donate from across the country. You can watch a recording of this years broadcast on the Jingle Bells Foundation website https://www.jinglebellsalexandria.org/ . Donations are being accepted through the end of the year on the same website.
According to the organization, the “first year the Jaycees raised close to $500, and now the program generates close to $100,000 each year.” In total the organization believes the Jingle Bells Telethon has donated more that $2.6 million to families in need.
