It's a wrap from the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion as the United Way reached their goal and more with a Grand Total of $350,215!

"'I've told people that reaching our goal was something our board would do. Whether it took until 2 o'clock in the afternoon on Telethon day, whether it took until 5 o'clock on telethon day or if it took us until December 31st of the end of the calendar year, our board was going to reach our goal."

It was shortly after 2:00 pm when the goal was surpassed thanks partly to the SaskPower contribution of $115,366.50. Tundra Energy also made their own contribution of $41,000 as did Torc Energy with $15,000. Along with individuals, small business and schools, the money came flowing in. 

"I thought it was phenomenal," shared President of the United Way, Patrick Fisher. "You always kind wonder especially in a year there's so much tough times in the economy, you never really know. The (provincial) budget hit in April, it was tough but this once again proves that Estevan steps up. It doesn't matter if it's a good time or bad, the community of Estevan steps up." 

He shared that he was blown away with the amount raised this year. He admits that the board struggled with trying to decide on a realistic goal while also being able to support their many member agencies. 

"I never would have expected hitting $25,000 over the goal."

"Once our year is done, our allocations committee will go back, there are member agencies that we have marked if we get excess, we will then dole out to add tho that. Extra money goes back into the member agencies' pockets."

From dinosaurs, to diamonds, this Telethon had it all, including a marriage proposal to long time United Way member. 

"Our board member Courney Cossette apparently got engaged at the very end so congratulations to her."

He added that by shifting the schedule back two weeks, it allowed for new and different entertainment

"The Way was an amazing ending band."

And although, the hall has yet to be cleared out, the board is already looking forward to next year. 

"You spend a lot of time and effort to get this one event going and by the time it's done, a lot of these board members and myself included are already itching to go next year."

One pleasant surprise the board had was finding room for the 96 handcrafted items available for bids this year. 

"It's not only the number, but the quality and uniqueness of it. I said it jokingly a couple of times, but we basically had a craft show! There were bird houses, there were paintings, there was so much more variety than in years past."

"In the end, nothing else matters than reaching our goal. In the last two years in the past decade or so that we haven't reached our goal at the end of Telethon, we've reached by the end of the year. And that means that we're able to go to our member agencies and say that what we said that we will give you, we are giving  tyou. Inthe end, that's what matters."

So give yourselves a round of applause Estevan and area, you have done it again!