The United Way Telethon in Estevan is fast approaching and the organization is hoping to meet its primary fundraising goal of $340,000 by the end of the event, which will take place Oct. 12 and 13.
Alongside a fundraising goal, an overarching theme has been selected as well to reflect this year's telethon, which will follow up on last year's theme of "I am the Way."
"This year we decided to call our theme 'Community starts with you,'" said Laura Bjarnason, director of marketing and administration for United Way Estevan. "All we have left to do now is get some letters sent out for approval as far as sidewalk decorating and the flag being flown for the week. We've also established who is going to be on what committee."
The Telethon is United Way's primary fundraiser for the year and during a meeting on Aug.27, the executive team gathered to finalize their goals and committee groups, which includes a facilities, raffle, entertainment, food and production committees.
Bjarnason said a greater emphasis on public awareness and marketing is something United Way would like to focus on moving forward.
"We want people to know what we want to achieve and that the money we raise goes back into the community 100 per cent," she said.
Part of this greater focus on publicity comes from the fact that United Way's $350,000 fundraising goal wasn't met through the telethon in 2013, an occurrence that has happened only twice in 37 years. Only later in the year, during the month of December, was their goal finally reached with the help of individuals and businesses who stepped up with additional donations.
"This year we fully expect to meet our goals by the end of the telethon," said Bjarnason.
United Way president Doug McDavid is also quite confident about achieving this year's fundraising goals and noted the organization's admirable head start, with $4,000 already raised.
"We have a lot of companies returning every year because they enjoy helping out and that's a huge positive for the community," he said.
McDavid noted the telethon's uniqueness as a fundraising tool and how it has cemented itself within Estevan and Weyburn.
"Most communities start their fundraising in August and go until the end of the year. We do it all in the telethon and it's become kind of a big part of the community over the last 33 years. We encourage all businesses and individuals to step up, because we don't just cover Estevan. We cover Bienfait and other smaller communities in this part of the province. Last year we couldn't meet our goals and this year we really want to reach them," said McDavid.
