The 30th edition of Communithon, the annual fundraiser for the Weyburn and District United Way, surpassed its goal for the year, although it was accomplished after the telethon went off the air late Saturday afternoon. As of 5 p.m.
The 30th edition of Communithon, the annual fundraiser for the Weyburn and District United Way, surpassed its goal for the year, although it was accomplished after the telethon went off the air late Saturday afternoon.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, the tally board showed the total at $124,390, shy of the goal of $130,000 - but by Monday afternoon, additional pledges brought the total over the goal, and it stood at $130,924, with more late pledges still coming in, said Sandy Alexander, treasurer for the United Way.
For Communithon chair and United Way president CJ Mainil, after five years in such a responsible position, she said she'll be stepping aside, possibly to take on a lesser role with the United Way.
"It's the fifth year of CJ; people need a break. We need some people with new ideas. I'm not saying I'm going to be completely gone," she said following the end of the Communithon broadcast. "I'm going to take a smaller role; I'd like to get back to the announcers' schedule and do stuff with Captain United and Lady Charity."
She expressed disappointment that the final tally was shy of the goal at the end of the Communithon, but pointed out that individuals and businesses alike were hit by a hard year that included flood damages, and this has had an impact on the community.
Meantime, CJ said she was happy at how well the Communithon went off, facilitated by the army of volunteers who made the event a reality.
"It comes down to the whole team who make it successful. We've had an army of volunteers over the last 30 years to continue making it a success. Without them it wouldn't happen, and any and every little thing they do helps," said CJ.
"I love the entertainment and everything about it, the energy that everybody has," she said, noting the part about the show is everything's live, so mistakes are all a part of the performances.
"What happens, happens, and it's all good," she said.
Curtis Bourassa, who acted as Captain United for this year's fundraiser, said at the end, "I'm exhausted, but I've had lots of fun. I thought everything ran smoothly."
He noted that he and Tabitha Mainil (Lady Charity) were there for all of the 33 hours except for a short three-hour sleep between Friday and Saturday.
"I knew it would be a lot of fun. I'm tired, but I'm still pumped. I thought we did the best we could, and it was worth it, all the stress and all the busyness before," added Tabitha.
They were joined, mainly on Saturday, by their junior counterparts, the winners of the Communithon's poster contest, Cooper Kopec and Olivia Boehm, both in Grade 5 at Assiniboia Park School.
For Olivia, who could be seen bouncing and dancing to the music even to the very end, this was her first-ever Communithon, as her family just moved to Weyburn in February.
"I loved it, it was so much fun," she said, grinning with happiness. "I got to dance and sing, and help put the numbers up. I nailed it!"
Asked if she would like to be Lady Charity when she's older, she nodded enthusiastically.
Volunteer Amy Mohr said of the busy event, "It was excellent. It was exciting to be involved as a member agency (with Weyburn Big Brothers and Big Sisters) and as a volunteer."
She said she felt it was important to be involved as the community has given her organization so much support through the United Way. Her role included being in charge of special events, and looking after Lady Charity and Captain United from when they were chosen up until Communithon day itself.
Amy praised the two young people who acted as the event mascots, saying, "They exceeded expectations; they were always polite and smiling and willing to get up and dance, even when they were exhausted. They were always up for anything."
The proceeds from the Communithon will be divided amongst the 11 member agencies under the Weyburn and District United Way.
