ESTEVAN — The United Way Estevan is gearing up for its 48th annual Telethon, set to take place from Oct. 18 and 19 at the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion.
This year's theme, You Are the Community, emphasizes the collective effort needed to support the organization's member agencies, which, in turn, support the community.
"To me, the theme means 'you' could be someone like a corporation who makes a very generous donation, to an individual, making a generous donation, to a performer, to our volunteers, to Access Communications, to the local media," said United Way Estevan president Mark Pettitt.
"We all play a role in the health of our community and how we help each other and get to a point where we raise money to help the member agencies who do immense, immense work in town."
He noted planning for the telethon is a year-round task, with more intensive preparations beginning in late August and early September. The board's first weekly meeting before the telethon is Sept. 4.
"We get together as the board and the planning groups, and we start putting things in place to make sure that the telethon runs smoothly," Pettitt said.
The goal for this year's 48th telethon is $348,000, which will go towards funding local member agencies that provide essential services in the community, as well as community impact projects, such as breakfast programs at Hillcrest School, the United Way Day of Caring, support for the local legion and more. According to the UW Estevan's website, they currently help fund 11 member agencies and allocate money for eight community impact projects.
The telethon will feature interviews with organizations which the UW Estevan supports.
Pettitt noted that the funds raised in October will be distributed starting in January.
The telethon will feature 33 hours of various entertainment from 8 a.m. on Oct. 18 to 5 p.m. the following day, live-streamed on Access Channel 7 as well as online. Heading into the telethon and throughout the event, people and businesses will be asked to donate to support organizations that are vital to the community's well-being.
The telethon will also include a popular silent auction, featuring handmade items created by local people. This part of the fundraiser has been benefitting from online exposure lately, with items displayed and available for bidding on social media as well as at the legion hall.
In the weeks heading into Telethon weekend, the United Way is calling for items to be donated to the auction, as well as volunteers and performers.
Pettitt encouraged local talents to be involved as entertainment, regardless of experience.
"We're always open for people who've been thinking about maybe coming up and performing on stage to give it a try, whether you're a child just learning piano or a band or someone who likes to sing," he said.
Volunteers will play a crucial role in the event.
"There will always be a call for volunteers," Pettitt noted, emphasizing that the event relies on community support to succeed.
Murray GM will host the traditional kick-off to telethon lunch on the Wednesday before the telethon, and Pettitt expects there will be other businesses fundraising in the weeks leading up to the event.
For the latest updates and current ways to support the event, United Way Estevan recommends visiting their Facebook page and keeping an eye on local media. For more information on how to participate, volunteer or donate, people can go to the UW website at unitedwayestevan.com or reach out to executive director Heidi Hesselink at 306-634-7375.
The Mercury and SaskToday will continue to have coverage of the telethon in the weeks leading up to the event.
