The 40th Annual Estevan United Way Telethon is under wraps for another year. 

For the 40th year in a row, United Way members, community members, businesses, groups and general members of the public made the huge fundraiser another success. The original goal for the Telethon was $325,000.  That goal was blown out of the water by almost $50,000 thanks to generous donations.

 

Donations like SaskPower's large donation for $128 044.15 collected through Wage Deductions and donations.

 

 

 and Westmoreland Coal Company's $74,100.64 also collected through United Mine Workers Local and Estevan Mine Donations. 

The Telethon is held to raise funds for much needed services of 15 separate agencies that apply for funding through the Estevan United Way. Christa Morhart, President of The Estevan United Way really wears her heart on her sleeve in promoting and showing the gratitude towards all of the donations made.

"We really do get to see first hand where this money goes, it stays right here in Estevan, it supports people like your neighbor and to see the generosity of Estevan during the Telethon really just astounds me," shares Morhart. 

The big $8 Million mark in the 40 years of the fundraising through the telethon in Estevan was also blown out of the water today as well. The United Way board members were all optimistic that their goal was attainable, but when they hit the $325,000 mark at 2:15 PM, with around 3 hours to spare, they set another goal of $8,000,000 in total over the years and almost immediately reached that as well. 

Morhart says, "It surpassed my expectations beyond words, I knew we would make that [$325,000] goal, maybe not on air, but definitely by the December 31 deadline. I did think the $8 million was a reach, and I was absolutely floored when we hit it and surpassed it," explains Morhart. 

"Knowing that we get to go back to these agencies and give them more money than we said we could is more than a sign of success," says Morhart.  "Ive personally met with these member agencies, I've see how they help and work with the people in the community," explains Morhart, "the allocation committee is tasked with having to decide where the money goes, equally and diligently and that the member agencies utilize it."

There really isn't a total until December 31 because money is accepted on an an going basis for the rest of the year.  The On Air total for the United way of Estevan's 40th Annual Telethon was $372,394 raised over the 30 hour telethon.