One of the really bright ideas the United Way Estevan had this year to celebrate their 40th annual Telethon was their 40 Years in 40 Days campaign on social media.
Each day, the United Way posted, in chronological order, the year, the amount of money raised through the campaign (most of the money came through the telethon) and the identity of the president.
For those who aren’t long-time residents of the city, it allowed them to see how donations to the telethon have grown over the years. And it saluted the many fine citizens who have been United Way presidents in the past.
Finally, it gave people an idea of how much money has been raised through the United Way’s campaigns since the telethon’s inception.
As of 5 p.m. on Oct. 15, the total support for the telethons amounts to a little more than $8 million, or about $200,000 per year.
For an area with a relatively small population, it’s a pretty incredible figure. United Ways in much larger communities would be thrilled to raise as much money as Estevan. (The Energy City typically ranks third in Saskatchewan for donations to the United Way, trailing only the big cities of Saskatoon and Regina).
The $8 million cumulative figure was a secondary goal for this year’s telethon. The primary goal, of course, was to raise $325,000 in 33 hours on Oct. 14 and 15 so that the United Way could fulfill their commitments to their 15 member agencies and two community partners.
The United Way soared past their goal with a little less than three hours remaining, and at that point, the only question remaining was whether they would eclipse the $8 million mark.
They did, with less than an hour remaining.
Not only was it great to do so, but it was even better to see it happen with so many former board members in attendance, some of whom had travelled a great distance to be there.
The telethon has been a big part of our area for the last 40 years. It’s hard to believe that when it was launched in 1977, nobody was sure if it would be a success.
It was viewed as a last-ditch effort for the United Way. If the telethon didn’t work, then Estevan’s United Way likely wouldn’t have been around much longer.
But it was a huge hit. The United Way cleared their goal of $36,000 before the end of the first day, and finished with more than $60,000.
They haven’t veered from the broadcast fundraiser since.
Other communities have tried the telethon concept. Weyburn has stayed with the televised fundraiser.
But none of those that have tried a telethon have enjoyed the same degree of success as Estevan.
And now the local United Way has reached another milestone that serves as a testament to the community’s support.
