Annual TV Charity Show Raises 200,000 Euros
ETV’s charity fundraising program "Jõulutunnel" (Christmas Tunnel) garnered close to 200,000 euros in donations from viewers.
This year, the funds will be allocated to construct a care home complex in Haaslava, Tartu County, where mentally handicapped children could live, study and work, reported ETV.
MTÜ Maarja Päikesekodu's chairman of the board Tõnu Rästas said the sum is bigger than expected.
With the help of the donations, billed to callers' phone records, infrastructure and landscaping work can be started. According to Rästas, the entire complex will cost over 20 million euros and vast majority of the money is applied from the EU.
The charity program "Jõulutunnel," featuring stories and music, has been aired since 1999. Last year, the program collected money to support the visually impaired. The word "Jõulutunnel" is a play on the word "jõulutunne," meaning the spirit of Christmas.
Last year's final tally was 208,000 euros.