By Marna McManus
The Weyburn and District United Way held the 31st Annual Communithon on October 26 and 27. The televised fundraiser was broadcast by Access7 on local cable as well as via live stream on the internet. A number of local volunteers and a wide array of talent worked together to raise funds for the United Way's 11 member agencies.
Although the final total of the 33-hour telethon was $126,640.27, falling short of the goal of $131,000, Weyburn United Way president Marla St. Onge said that more donations were still coming in after they went off-air.
The role of Captain United was filled by Decker Mainil, and Marissa McCallum served as Lady Charity. The winners of the youth poster contest, Kelsey Peterson and Caroline Manning were chosen as junior dignitaries for the telethon.
Talent this year included all of the local schools, but for the first time, the Stoughton School came to Weyburn to give a performance as well, under the direction of Jacquie and Aaron Walbaum. Jacquie, whose parents, Ruth and George Barker, are involved with the Communithon each year, brought her own three children back on Saturday to perform. All three sang and the older two also played the violin accompanied by their mother.
Irish-born, Canadian-based singer/songwriter Stephen Maguire also performed his soulful songs each day. The musician even donated some CDs to the event's silent auction as well as some tickets to his upcoming concert, 'Memory Lane: A Tribute to the 40s, 50s and 60s, taking place in Weyburn on November 24.
Weyburn's Chief of Police, Marlo Pritchard, joined the board of the Weyburn United Way not long after moving to Weyburn in March. He had been involved with the United Way throughout the years, but he had never been involved with anything like the Communithon. He helped out both days, serving as an announcer, a producer and a camera operator.
"I had never done a telethon before," said Chief Pritchard, noting that he thoroughly enjoyed the talent, as well as the volunteers' commitment.
"There are people that literally move in and stay there and sleep there," he said, adding that Weyburn Police Service employee, Leanne Alexander and her mother Sandy were there throughout the entire 33 hours. "That is so impressive that they are that dedicated to the community and to the United Way. It was very impressive to watch."
"It's important to be involved in something that stays in the community that way and helps with everybody's wellness," he said. "I had a lot of fun, too."
St. Onge was pleased with the results, counting the event an overall success as usual. All of the funds raised will go directly back to the community.
"I just want to thank our Executive Director, Sandy Alexander," said St. Onge. "She does so much for the United Way. I want to thank our board members, all of the volunteers, all of the entertainers. We couldn't have a telethon like this if we didn't have the support of volunteerism, so I want to give a shout out to all of the people who helped out with the Communithon this year. We are very thankful for Access, for everything they do for us," added St. Onge. "We wouldn't even have a telethon or a Communithon without them. It's a lot of work on their part."
The Member Agencies of the Weyburn United Way are the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Canadian Paraplegic Associations Inc., Canadian Red Cross, Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Envision Counselling & Support Centre, Weyburn & Area Supportive Employment Services, Weyburn Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Weyburn Care-A-Van Society, Color My World Child Care and the Weyburn Special Care Home Auxiliary.
