The National Community Foundation (NCF) recently launched the 2017 national telethon.

Now into its 14th year, the event is carded for Sunday, May 28, at the Finance Administrative Centre at Pointe Seraphine, Castries.

The National Telethon is the NCF’S biggest fund raising event and gives the corporate sector as well as individuals, the opportunity to contribute to the work of the NCF.

Addressing the media at last Thursday’s launch, NCF Executive Director, Michelle Phillips, said the telethon target will remain at EC$200,000.

“We understand that we are operating in a slow economy and persons are watching their spending, but we still have to continue with the work because there are some people who don’t have the reach we do and we still have to put out our hands to help them. Of course, the sky is the limit. If we get more than $200,000 we will be smiling all the way to the bank, so please continue to pledge.”

The National Telethon will be aired live on the National Television Network (NTN), from 1 – 6 p.m., in an in-studio format.

“On the day of the telethon, telephone numbers will be put on the screen. We also have two bank account numbers that we will make available to the public,” she added.

While the NCF attends to several requests in the areas of education, health, and housing among others, education continues to occupy a large chunk of its budget. Currently, the NCF has 150 students on its scholarship fund.

The National Community Foundation was initiated by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) in 2002, as a non-governmental philanthropic entity to assist in areas that the NIC Act did not embody.