The cacophony of the Pledge Day radiothon is the best part of the annual fundraising event, according to Calgary Children’s Foundation chair John Vos.

“It’s the noise, the hubbub. It’s just the activity of it all.

“It’s the culmination of all of the work that so many people do,” Vos said.

Friday, Global News Radio 770 CHQR hosts another Pledge Day, the only day the station and foundation seek funds from the listening public.

In 2019, the foundation granted funds to 30 children’s charities, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.

“It’s the listeners that really are central,” Vos said. “But we need the corporate pieces, our advertising partners, our partners here at The Westin.”

The Westin Calgary Downtown has played an important part of Pledge Day since the fundraiser’s beginnings, over 40 years ago. Westin employees fundraise throughout the year and are some of the dozens of volunteers that answer the phones during the 13-hour radiothon.

Michael Bitcon, director of operations at the Westin Calgary and Foundation board member, said he is “humbled and privileged” to play a role in a partnership that was established before he was born.

“The opportunity to give back a very small portion of my time to do cheque presentations or to meet once a year or twice a year on the board — there really isn’t much of a (time) commitment,” Bitcon said. “However, it’s something that I feel strongly about.

It’s a chance for us to be a part of something bigger than just working at the Westin Calgary.”

While Bitcon looks forward to the special energy of Pledge Day, he also relishes the opportunity to present the funds to the children’s charities that are raised during the annual fundraiser.

“It tugs on the heartstrings,” Bitcon said. “I sometimes think I’m a pretty put-together guy. But when you see the look on the faces of the kids that we’re impacting — direct results — it’s pretty heartwarming. There’s no better reward that I can really think of.”