TeleMiracle wrapped up its 45th edition at 5 p.m. Sunday – a telethon like none ever seen in the event’s history.
Despite changes and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final numbers on the video tote board showed an off-air total of $5,630,215, to which the Estevan community contributed just under $11,000 through different fundraisers on top of all private donations.
With this year's incredible generosity, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is over $145 million for the people of Saskatchewan.
Last spring, the world changed and TeleMiracle 45 adapted along with it. Its new format blended old traditions with new technology. It felt different, but the outcome was what matters.
"It was a different year, it was a lot quieter than what we are used to … Because of COVID we were limited to how many people could come and volunteer," said Susan Colbow, the Estevan Kinettes treasurer and former TeleMiracle board chair, while on the way back to Estevan from Saskatoon.
Estevan Kin Clubs were lucky to be a part of the telethon this year. Because they had some members from last year's committee and shadow committee that were allowed to go, they had eight Kinsmen and Kinnettes present for TeleMiracle 45 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.
The broadcast featured no live audience, and most live appearances were by remote video. National cast hosts were live in-studio, with physical distancing in-place. Content for the show was pre-recorded over many months leading up to the telethon.
These changes to TeleMiracle were made with COVID safety in mind and were approved by provincial health authorities.
Former Estevan resident Chris Henderson and Midale native Brad Johner were part of the national cast. Johner was joined by his sons at times.
Among the Saskatchewan talent were Breanna Bjarnason of Stoughton, and former Estevan resident Brad Brown and his daughter Ashley, who now reside in Sedley.
While TeleMiracle could have looked pretty close to normal from the viewers' perspective, the new format and restrictions affected the atmosphere at the event. There was no traditional backstage "hustle and bustle," as Colbow put it, related to performers, volunteers and staff coming and going. Instead of 48 phones on stage and another 50-60 off stage, there were just 15 people taking phone calls on stage this time.
"Enthusiasm was down, just because everything wasn't the same. But it was still a success, and that is the main thing," Colbow said.
Organizing TeleMiracle in a new format was easier and more difficult at the same time. While pre-recording and planning took a lot of work ahead of the event, the live part was simpler with a smaller crowd working during the 20 hours of the telethon. Colbow said that some of the new format features will probably still be used once they can get back to the traditional format.
"I'm sure they've (the production committee) learned something that they'll be able to adapt into the show going forward," Colbow said.
The final numbers brought great relief and a lot of happiness to everyone involved.
"The more money we raise, the more money we can get to the people of Saskatchewan in need. As the number went up, we were happy and excited and relieved, because you never know in the pandemic like this how much money you are going to raise. I don't know how everybody else was, but I was a little worried about what kind of total we were going to get," Colbow said.
Estevan was very active ahead of Telemiracle. The community raised a total of $10,930 through numerous fundraising campaigns and the Estevan Kinettes' online auction.
"I'd like to thank Estevan people for all of their donations that we got … for their generosity and helping us raise the funds that we were able to bring up to TeleMiracle as well," said Estevan Kinette Chelsey Istace.
This year's final tote board total also included the proceeds of TeleMiracle's first-ever online 50-50 raffle, which generated total ticket sales of $726,120, with the winner taking home half of the jackpot total.
"Thanks to people from Saskatchewan for all of their donations and for making this a success. It is awesome that in the pandemic they could still raise that much money," Colbow said.
All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, and assistance with medical travel. The Foundation receives over 1,000 applications for assistance from Saskatchewan residents each year.
TeleMiracle reminds those that made pledges during the telethon to honour them by mailing their donation to Box 83000, Saskatoon SK, S7K 9S1.
Planning has already started for TeleMiracle 46, to take place in 2022 in Regina. Details leading up to next year's show will be posted at www.telemiracle.com.
