Who Will be Named the First Coronado Idol?
Annual CSF Telethon Showcases Student Talent, Aims to Break Fundraising Record

January 23, 2008 , CORONADO- A little bit of Hollywood is coming to Coronado on March 12th, thanks to the Coronado Schools Foundation (CSF) Telethon.   Based loosely on the hit television series “American Idol,” the annual event, now in its 20th year, promises to be an entertaining evening filled with song, dance and quite a few laughs while the Telethon Phone Bank phones keep ringing with parent and community donations. 

This year for the first time ever the Telethon will take place in the Coronado High School (CHS) Theater from 5- 9 p.m., and will be broadcast live by Time Warner Cable on Channel 19 within Coronado.  As well as an evening of fun-filled family entertainment, the CHS senior class will also host a fundraising dinner in the school quad.   Additionally, there will be a remote location at Beach-n-Diner/Mootime where your family can dine and support CSF while teachers serve your meal and scoop your ice cream.     

With this being the event’s 20th anniversary from its humble beginnings on the sidewalks of Orange Avenue to Village Hall at Village Elementary and now to the new Theatre at Coronado High, it will showcase Coronado students from across the District performing a wide variety of musical acts and skits as they compete to be crowned the first Coronado Idol.  “This year’s Telethon fundraiser has something for everyone,” says Terry Farrelly, chair of the CSF Telethon Committee.  “Not only does it support a great cause, the Telethon always provides fantastic entertainment, and this year will be no different. Whether you’re cheering on your own family’s idol or you simply want to spend an entertaining evening supporting the great work done by our schools, please come out and support Coronado’s public schools via CSF in its final fundraising event of the school year.”

CSF hopes to match the success of the 2007 event, which raised $118,735 and attracted record numbers of new donors. All money raised from the event will directly benefit the students at each of Coronado Unified School District’s five campuses. This is especially important in light of forecasted state funding cuts for education later which may affect current year school funding as well as next year’s educational funding. 
                                                                        
“Each year we rely on the support of the teachers and administrators to come up with great entertainment and that synergy directly correlates to the Telethon’s financial success by generating donations from parents, grandparents, community members and business partners,” commented Executive Director Patty Cowan.   Limited opportunities for are still available for business partnerships and many volunteers will be needed, both during the day and night of the event.  Telethon DVDs will also be available for purchase to commemorate the night.    

If you are interested in participating in any way, please contact Development Coordinator Kathleen Wakefield at 437-8059, via e-mail at kwakefield@coronado.k12.ca.us, or visit www.csfkids.org for more information.