SASKATOON - This year's Telemiracle fundraiser on CTV ended with a massive total when all was said and done, and along the way, local schools, community groups and individuals helped add to that success.
The annual 20-hour telethon event came to a conclusion just before 5:00 pm on Sunday, March 2 with a mountainous grand total of just over $5.7 million, helping many differently-abled people from around the province.
Staff and students from Outlook High School appeared just about half an hour into the broadcast on Saturday night, March 1 to present funds. Thanking the local School Community Council, as well as everyone who helped add to the success of their events, Cara Drury explained that several events allowed OHS to build up a significant total to gift to Telemiracle.
Student Natalie Huebner then went over some of the events OHS held during their Telemiracle Week, including a video game tournament, a dodgeball tournament, weekly cinnamon bun sales, a 'Crush for a Crush' pop sale, and Telemiracle Teddy even appeared at OHS to play school mascot Sharky in games of basketball and dodgeball, with Teddy winning.
As a result of all their events, Outlook High School was able to present a cheque for $3,388 to Telemiracle.
As well, the annual efforts that take place down in the tiny community of Demaine always seem to rocket up to an astounding total each year for Telemiracle. Over the course of 24 years, the efforts of this miniscule hamlet have paid off to the tune of over $285,000 for the annual telethon fundraiser. Jocelyn Turrell and her daughter Sawyer appeared onstage on Sunday morning, March 2 to present the auction proceeds from their recent event, with this year's total being an incredible $15,305. Supporters of the annual fundraising efforts are being asked to stay tuned for plans for next year's Telemiracle, as it will be the 25th and final year for Demaine's annual fundraising efforts.
As well, students from the Dinsmore Composite School SRC appeared onstage on March 2 to make a presentation, with proceeds from events such as a bake sale, coin drive, balloon pop, skate-a-thon, and the school's waffle breakfast making for a total of $2,763 being gifted to Telemiracle.
Efforts such as all of these show that the success of Telemiracle starts at the grassroots level in communities of all sizes.
Telemiracle's monumental 50th year will arrive in 2026.
