BCTV's #GivingTuesday Challenge 2020

Why did BCTV create this video? The COVID-19 crisis did not deter Dick DeGray from decorating Pliny Park in downtown Brattleboro, but it did deter the crowd from assembling for the annual tree lighting on the day after Thanksgiving. Who did Dick call to create a virtual tree lighting video to air at the traditional time? BCTV. 

This #GivingTuesday, please give to support Brattleboro Community TV, your community media station that helps you keep up with local news and happenings, and allows local producers to express their voices and views. BCTV was there for local governments in the COVID shutdown last Spring, producing and archiving 90 online meetings between mid-March and July, along with editing and uploading 350 local shows, producing virtual and in-person graduation ceremonies, and providing unlimited technical assistance to to municipalities, individuals, and producers. Many of the shows were created overnight to address the urgent need for reliable information, and BCTV staff worked around the clock to make sure cable and online viewers had access to them without delay. 

Any amount you can give is appreciated and will be used to support BCTV's mission, to promote civic engagement and transparency, and to empower community members to share their knowledge, views and creativity, without prejudice.  

The winners of BCTV's 2020 Producer Awards were recently announced, and are a testament to the wide range of programming and partnerships this year. 

The winners:

• Community Partner Award: Next Stage Arts Project - produced "Arts Unite Windham" multi-venue livestream fundraiser for social justice organizations

• Nonprofit Member Award: Senior Solutions of Southeastern Vermont - produced "Keeping Up with Senior Solutions" to boost awareness of benefits for Vermonters over60.

• Municipal Partner Award: Patrick Moreland, Town of Brattleboro - produced the first virtual Town Meeting in Vermont; Mike Bucossi, Brattleboro Fire Department - used emergency ticker to reach residents with urgent public alerts.

• New Producer of the Year: Donna Blackney -produced local history programs for the Brattleboro Words Project.

• Producer of the Year: Peter 'Fish' Case - produced "Call to Action: COVID-19" and "Windham Votes"

• Series of the Year: "Montpelier Happy Hour" - produced by Olga Peters with regular contributor Emilie Kornheiser

• Host of the Year: Marty Cohn - hosted "Rotary Cares," "PR Benefits," "Brattleboro Rotary Club Speaker Series," and "Meet the Candidates."