United Way Estevan Telethon blows past $343,000 goal in its 47th year

The southeast showcased its generosity again for the 47th annual United Way Estevan Telethon.

$357,001 was raised from the kick-off Wednesday to the 33-hour marathon, which ran from 8 a.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Saturday. That beat the goal of $343,064.

United Way Estevan President Michelle Beaulieu was ecstatic.

"I cannot be more proud that we raised this much money for the city of Estevan and all the member agencies," she said. "It is just absolutely amazing what goes back into our community."

The telethon, which aired on Access Now, raises money to support the United Way's member agencies and community impact projects. 

The member agencies are the Canadian Red Cross, CNIB Foundation Saskatchewan, Creighton Lodge Trust Committee, Envision Counselling and Support Centre, Estevan Area Literacy Group Inc., Estevan Diversified Services Inc., Estevan Family Resource Centre Inc., Estevan Regional Nursing Home Auxiliary, SaskAbilities, Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan Inc., and the St. Joseph's Health Care Auxiliary.

"It's been a very busy week," said Beaulieu. "We started off with a kick-off at Murray GM with the lunch by Black Beard's, so that was a busy day and we raised quite a bit of money. And we do a lot of set up at the Legion hall. And then 33 hours of entertainment and it all came together and it was awesome."

The fundraiser involved a silent auction, which wrapped up at 3 p.m. Saturday.

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Silent auction items were on display at Murray GM earlier in the week