The Weyburn and District United Way's 30th Annual Communithon successfully surpassed this year's goal of $130,000. The dynamic event ran from 8:00 a.m. on October 21 to 5:00 p.m. on October 22, by the end of which approximately $124,000 was raised. The amount has since climbed to $131,000. The funds raised by this year's Communithon will go to the local United Way's 11 member agencies.
Filmed at the Weyburn Comprehensive School Cafetorium, the annual Communithon has traditionally been broadcast on local television courtesy of Access7, but this was the second year that the event was streamed live via the internet. This not only provided more options for those who were unable to make it down to the high school to watch family and friends perform, it allowed the program to be enjoyed by supporters worldwide. The overnight programming this year differed from past years, as between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. Access7 aired previously-recorded interviews with the various member agencies. This break allowed event volunteers to go home for some much-deserved rest.
"Most of the volunteers went home at least for a short time. Cj and I stayed all night, but we did lie down in the drama room for a while. I personally slept for about three hours," said Sandra Alexander, Executive Director for Weyburn & District United Way. "We did have volunteer security men who stayed all night and looked after our venue."
The Communithon would be nothing without a community of willing supporters, as the event is orchestrated by a number of local volunteers representing the Weyburn and District United Way member agencies, including the Weyburn Care-A-Van Society, Weyburn Special Care Home Auxiliary, Weyburn Big Brothers Big Sisters, Weyburn and Area Supportive Employment Services, Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Arthritis Society, Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Paraplegic Association, Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Canadian Mental Health Association.
Volunteers contributed to the non-stop event by doing everything from performing on stage, hosting the show, directing, operating the television cameras, manning draw tables, answering phones, serving food to other volunteers and other organizing duties managed by the local United Way's Communithon Chair, Cj Mainil. Cj has been the Chair of the Communithon Committee for five years but will be stepping down from the position.
"I will still be involved with Communithon, but I feel we need some fresh ideas, fresh faces," said Cj.
Every year the Communithon brings something new to the forefront, including a new Captain United and Lady Charity. This year's royal couple was Curtis Bourassa and Tabitha Mainil. A junior title of Captain United and Lady Charity was awarded to Cooper Kopec and Olivia Boehm, winners of the Communithon poster contest. Both students are in Grade 6 at Assiniboia Park.
Though several of the usual student volunteers were away this year at sports events, a number of young people were involved with the event and contributed largely to the overall ambiance and youthful vibe of the 33-hour telethon. Responsible youth dominated Friday night's lively line-up, with plenty of dancing and hilarity all around. The Young Fellows did a Blues Brothers act and the Kinsmen club performed a Guns 'n' Roses air band act.
A live vocal duo performance of Lady Gaga songs by Emera Megenbir as Queen Ooh La La and Chelsea Woodard as Duchess Ra Ra showed that Weyburn has talent on calibre with Lady Gaga herself. The girls' singing and dancing could not be stopped even by technical difficulties with the soundtrack to which they were performing and they kept their stride like true professionals.
A rock band from Regina, Descalso (which means 'barefoot'), played for the third year in a row at the Communithon, with one set on Friday night and one on Saturday afternoon. In addition to their certain talent, CJ Mainil said she is so proud to have had such a humble group of young men involved in Weyburn's community event. The band members attend the University of Regina and one of them mentioned having family in Weyburn.
These were just a few of a number of talented performers, including various choirs and instrumental ensembles, magician Richy Roy, rising stars Leah Rebrinsky, Tenille Arts and local band Air Ticket, who all helped to keep viewers tuned in and pledges rolling in on the phones.
Various pledges included challenges to peer groups, including 'people who turn 30 this year with the Communithon' and 'other musical families'. Supporters could participate in a 50/50 Draw at the venue, as well as purchase food from the concession or bid on items in the Silent Auction.
As the clock approached the end of the Communithon, City Chamber Manager and United Way board member Jeff Richards got out the phone book and started cold-calling people to rally pledges.
Even during the closing ceremony, the total continued to climb.
"The community of Weyburn should be proud of all the hard working volunteers that made this year's Communithon a success," Mainil said as she reflected upon the big event.
The Weyburn & District United Way accepts members and member agency applications year-round.
