It begins this Friday and local residents are urged to join in the fun and fundraising effort as the United Way Estevan team attempts to raise $350,000 in 33 hours, beginning at 8 a.m. Oct. 18.
This will be the 37th consecutive time that the local United Way group will have chosen to use a televised marathon of fundraising to help them reach their local goal. Apparently it works, since Estevan has been the first city to reach its goal 36 out of those 37 years.
As in the past, the telethon is being carried live through Access Channel 7, a provincial local cable provider, and Lori Buchanan, from United Way, said their co-operation and engagement over the years and those of their predecessors has been a key factor that has enabled the local event to be so successful that and the hard work done beforehand and after the fact by a strong group of dedicated volunteers.
The fact that the community has bought into the concept and used the telethon format to raise money to help others, is never lost on the organizers either.
The whole experience for 2013 will wind down at 5 p.m. Saturday evening, with the hopes that 18 member agencies will have their allocated funding assured for another year.
Each of the agencies will also have an opportunity to explain to the viewers and the community, what it is that they do in return for the support. In between the interviews, there will be lots of entertainment, including overnight fun plus a lot of hosting teams taking to the anchor desk to keep activities moving along through the hard work of floor producers, camera operators, audio technicians and entertainers. This year's president Dawn Schell will be onsite too for most of those 33 hours, ensuring that details are covered.
There is a canteen at the Estevan Legion Hall, where all the action is taking place, so visitors are always welcome to come in to the temporary studio in the hall and join in.
"Bring your appetite and join the event with us during the live broadcast," said Buchanan.
The UW Telethon includes a raffle of a handmade quilt from the Hearts and Hands Quilting Club, so tickets will be available at the Legion during the telethon. Plus, many other home crafted items will be placed on the bidding block during the telecast.
This year's theme for United Way is I am the Way.
The internationally recognized and award-winning Daae Family will provide the musical entertainment for the last few hours of this year's event and Access 7 will have a live streaming internet connection for those who want to use the web by visiting www.unitedwayestevan.com
This year's pledge telephone line will be 306-340-GOAL, and the auction bid line will be 306-340-4629.
Donations may also be made directly at the Legion along with the quilt raffle tickets.
Those wishing to mail in pledges are asked to address them to United Way Estevan, Box 611, Estevan Sask. S4A 2A5. Make sure the proper postage stamps are applied.
Pledges may also be honoured at any of Estevan's chartered banks or at Affinity Credit Union branches.
"Be the difference and thanks for getting in the way by supporting the United Way," said Buchanan in a final media release prior to the event.
Those requiring any more information or are willing to provide some volunteer time and effort, are invited to contact the Estevan United Way at 306-634-7375 or contact them online at [email protected]
