The long countdown to Telemiracle 45 is starting to get shorter as we approach the three-week mark to the event in support of Kinsmen foundations around Saskatchewan. The Estevan Kinsmen and Kinettes, who have both participated in and benefited from Telemiracle over the years, are throwing their weight behind this year's event with another fundraiser. 

Starting on Monday, the Estevan Kinsmen and Kinettes will hold a Facebook auction with items donated from local businesses. Telemiracle 45 will be the last weekend of the month, so the time to raise funds is ticking down.

"Look for the links on our Facebook page, which will lead you to our auction," said Preston Majeran, who will serve as shadow chair of security for Telemiracle 45. "It's just bidding on items that have been donated by local businesses."

The items donated vary wildly, though a number of restaurants have gotten in on the action with gift cards. Other types of businesses include hardware stores and even some construction companies. 

"We've got some gravel donated by Turnbull," Majeran said, "shirts, hats, a vacuum cleaner donated by Canadian Tire. Gift cards from local restaurants and local stores, a nice picture by Byron Fichter."

As has been the case with so many organizations this year, the Kinsmen are having to do much of their fundraising from afar. They've also been doing things well in advance, as fundraising has long since started for the event on February 27 and 28. 

"That's why we're doing everything in advance," said Majeran. "We had our regular Telemiracle Fundraisers like a steak night at the Days Inn, we had a pass the bucket at the Bruins games. This year, because of the way COVID has taken over everything, what we've done is we've reached out with this auction, we've reached out to local restaurants."

Majeran added that Days Inn, Fired Up Grill, and the Black Grasshopper are all doing different kinds of fundraisers this month for Telemiralce. Other community fundraisers have included a lemonade sale at Spruce Ridge School in January.

"It's still getting out there and being able to support Telemiracle," he said. "We just have to think about getting out there a different day. We just can't do it all at one time, we've got to do it over a certain period and follow all of the Saskatchewan guidelines."