A lot of things will be different for this year's United Way Telethon in Estevan, but there will be a few things consistent with past years. The Legion hall in Estevan will play host, there will be performances (though many will be pre-recorded) and the Hearts and Hands Quilting Guild will put their best work on offer to help raise money. 

The guild has completed a quilt for which they are selling raffle tickets to raise money for the Telethon. All the proceeds from ticket sales go to the final total for October 16 and 17, and on Saturday the 17th, United Way Estevan will make the draw. 

"Tickets are still available at Henders Drugs," said United Way Estevan President Melanie Graham. "And then Saturday, the weekend of the Telethon, we'll draw a lucky ticket and present the quilt to that person."

The quilt has become an annual tradition with the United Way, and one for which people often buy many tickets. Graham hopes this year will be no different as the Telethon tries to raise money under unusual circumstances. 

"That quilt was made by the Hearts and Hands Quilting Guild and they've done that for us for quite a few years," she said. "It's a beautiful quilt."

Fundraising efforts for the United Way have had to undergo some dramatic changes this year, as have their usual ways of giving back. For instance, their usual Day of Caring, which typically takes place toward the end of May, couldn't happen this year. With that in mind, community support has become even more important to United Way at this year's Telethon than usual. 

"It's amazing," said Graham. "This group of ladies getting together to make a beautiful quilt for us, it's very nice. You purchase tickets and we draw a winning ticket... It's exciting. The countdown is on and the community is behind us."

Last year's United Way Telethon set a new record for Estevan for the second consecutive year by raising $377,152. The telethon surpassed last year's goal of $340,000 shortly before 2 p.m.  This year's will be held on October 16 and 17 at the Legion hall in Estevan.