Saskatoon StarPhoenix Staff
It was a TeleMiracle to remember — for more than one reason.
The annual telethon has now been on Saskatchewan airwaves for five decades, celebrating its 50th edition on Saturday and Sunday at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.
People in Saskatchewan honoured such a grand accomplishment with a historic contribution. When the CTV broadcast closed, and the final tally was announced, TeleMiracle had raised a record total of $10,521,072, blowing away the previous record of $8,002,722 in 2022.
“TeleMiracle creates a legacy of Saskatchewan’s generosity and volunteerism, and we would love to see it live on for years to come,” TeleMiracle 50 chair Tammy Blackwell said.
The telethon raises funds for the Kinsmen Foundation, which distributes grants to applicants in need of medical travel assistance or mobility and special needs equipment.
On of the highlights of this year’s 22-hour broadcast was a bequest donation from Alice Tindall of $2.35 million. Several other five- and six-digit bequests, memorials, donations and gifts contributed to the record fundraising.
All proceeds from TeleMiracle stay in Saskatchewan. From the $1,214,210 raised during the first telethon in 1977 up to this year’s total, TeleMiracle has now raised more than $181 million and supported thousands of families over the past 50 years.
Kinsmen Foundation executive director Danika Dinko said the support is incredible, noting that the money raised “will directly improve the quality of life for so many Saskatchewan residents.”
Canadian singers and TeleMiracle fixtures Jeffery Straker, Beverley Mahood and Brad Johner made their annual stop to co-host the event. Other new additions to the TeleMiracle cast included broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos, TSN sports host Kate Beirness, Regina-born country singer Jojo Mason, comedians Myles Morrison and Matt Donlevy and CTV Regina weather anchor Sabeen Ahmad.
The broadcast featured around six dozen performers, some in front of a live audience and others in pre-recorded segments.
