The 38th annual edition of Estevan United Way telethon took on a personal and even more meaningful texture for Doug McDavid, president and co-ordinator of the successful 33-hour televised campaign that ended in success late Saturday afternoon.
McDavid, with eyes glistening from near-tears, explained to The Mercury that this year’s event had an additional meaning for him due to the fact that he and his family leaned on several of the United Way’s 17 agencies during the past year. McDavid lost his wife Sandy a couple of months ago and the struggles they endured were made easier thanks to the services rendered by organizations that receive core funding from United Way.
“I saw how these agencies work, I used them myself. We needed to use them, so it made this whole thing a close and personal trip,” said McDavid.
Just before 4 p.m., with about an hour to go before the official windup of the marathon, McDavid was able to breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate as the tote board indicated that the community had just topped the $340,000 mark, the official target for this year’s campaign.
“Yes, I had some nervous moments, especially around noon to 1 p.m. because you never know how a community can respond but the whole area came through again, and, of course, the mine (Westmoreland) and its employees came through with $85,000 and SaskPower came up with one of their largest donations ever through their employees and corporate donation, so that allowed me to finally relax a little bit because those put us close to the goal,” McDavid said.
“This telethon is a natural attraction for newcomers to Estevan. I know it was when I arrived about nine years ago. I was told it was a great organization that brought people together and would be a good introduction for me if I wanted to get involved. It has been for sure.
“It’s an emotional release for me right now,” McDavid said, as he watched the total climb to the $337,000 mark, knowing that the community would be coming through with the final few thousand. In fact, they did better than that, ending the event with $347,665 in the bank and through pledges.
“We got an eye opener last year when we didn’t quite make it to our $350,000 target. It meant we had work to do to get the community involved and comfortable with United Way again.”
A personal $5,000 donation in the early afternoon, provided a spark, and McDavid said it was reaffirmed that the $5 to $100 personal and family donations are vital if the campaign is to end with success.
Working with the UW committee is easy, he said.
“Everyone does their job, knows their part. The set up went smoothly. Access (Communications, the cable broadcaster that covers the event from start to finish) was fantastic again this year.”
Within a few minutes, McDavid was on the phone, contacting United Way’s national headquarters in Ontario, checking in with president and CEO Dr. Jacqueline Nyman, to learn that the Energy City was once again the first community in Canada to meet its fundraising target, something the local committee had been able to do 36 out of the 38 years of the telethon’s existence.
“It’s a family legacy thing for Doug,” said Lynn Trobert, who announced that McDavid himself was making an additional $1,000 donation through a payroll deduction scheme to put Estevan over the top since that amount would be matched by SaskPower, his employer.
Brian Senchuk then topped that off with another target-breaking donation, noting from one of the volunteer host’s chairs that “a community is what you make of it.”
With Jimmy G and the Cable Guys about to rock the music to take the committee to its final moments in the campaign, McDavid and co-host Mark Pettitt and marathon host Trevor Gowen, called all the UW volunteers who were on the floor and behind the scenes, to the front for a closing prayer composed by Marian Huber.
As in the past, the marathon proceeded throughout the day on Friday and overnight and into 5 p.m. Saturday, aided and abetted by a string of volunteer hosts who manned the television microphones, cameras, switch and sound boards. There were floor directors, producers and entertainment features of all kinds including overnight events arranged by Estevan Comprehensive School entertainers who joined Gowen and his cohorts in keeping things lively and action packed.
Near the end it was noted that $1,794 of this year’s target was made up of raffle tickets sold on a hand-made quilt and another $2,467 was raised through bids on about 40 hand-crafted items and food baskets.
“I’m thrilled for you. Well done Estevan … again,” said Nyman, whose voice was heard over the speaker phone as she confirmed the fact that the Energy City was once again, number one in the nation.
