Saskatchewan's traditional Telemiracle telethon has returned for a 47th edition as the entire province is called upon to "ring those phones" and help people with special needs in their own communities.
The event kicked off at 9:00pm on Saturday night with an emotional tribute to actor, singer and longtime Telemiracle cast member Bob McGrath, who passed away in December at the age of 90. Bob was part of the very first Telemiracle in 1977 and returned to Saskatchewan for the telethon every year for 39 years.
A heart-felt rendition of "Rainbow Connection" by members of our National Cast in tribute to our beloved friend Bob McGrath.
— TeleMiracle (@Telemiracle) February 26, 2023
Thank you for all the memories, we will miss you Bob.#TM47 #RootedinSaskatchewan pic.twitter.com/vymW6mF1dQ
Hundreds of Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin volunteers are working behind the scenes at Prairieland Park and are presenting their fundraising totals for the year. The Swift Current Kinettes made a presentation of $10,620 on Saturday night while the Swift Current Kinsmen brought in a fundraising total of $8168.60.
The money raised at Telemiracle will go to the Kinsmen Foundation and will stay in Saskatchewan to assist people in the province who need mobility equipment or access to out-of-province medical care. Last year saw a record amount of over $8 million raised.
The telethon continues to 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon and is being broadcast live on CTV television in Saskatchewan and livestreamed on the Telemiracle website. You can call in pledges at 306-683-2023 or make a donation online.