ESTEVAN - The United Way Estevan enjoyed tremendous community support during its 47th annual telethon.
The 33-hour broadcast raised $357,001. Proceeds of the telethon will be directed towards the United Way's 11 member agencies and six community impact projects. The goal was $343,064.
The telethon was sitting at more than $160,000 just before 2 p.m. But then the United Mine Workers of America Local 7606 and Westmoreland Mining LLC came in with $84,913.87.
The employees raised money through voluntary payroll deductions and draws. The company then provided a matching grant.
A short time later, SaskPower provided a donation of $101,033 that pushed the United Way past its ambitious objective. The various unionized employees at SaskPower raised the money through different means, including voluntary payroll deductions, and that amount was matched by the corporation.
The telethon wrapped up at 5 p.m. The entire event was held at the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and it aired on Access Now and the United Way's website.
The telethon went on the air at 8 a.m. on Friday morning. Local school students performed during the opening hours of the broadcast, bringing a large crowd. Then people from the community had their turn. The United Way's member agencies and community impact projects have been explaining what they do with the money that is raised.
In a poignant moment, there was a tribute on Friday night to John Deadlock, who passed away in September. Deadlock was a fixture for most of the United Way's history, serving as a host throughout the broadcast during the telethon's early years. He also served in a number of different capacities, and remained an avid supporter of the telethon after moving to Hanna, Alta.
Another tribute came Saturday morning with a presentation to Jeff and Brad Pierson. Their mother, Melodye, died in December 2022. A dedicated volunteer, the United Way was one of the many causes she supported, and she helped out in numerous ways.
Students from the Estevan Comprehensive School handled various responsibilities during the ECS takeover from midnight to 6 a.m. on Saturday.
The telethon also has 93 hand-crafted bid items for a silent auction. To bid on them, please call 306-340-4629 or visit the United Way Estevan bid items Facebook page. The Heart and Hands Quilting Guild has supplied a quilt for a raffle.
Volunteers helped out in a variety of capacities.
This year's theme was Be Part of the Energy.
The next edition of the Mercury will have full coverage on this event.
