Forty years ago a group of Kinsmen in Saskatchewan sat around a table at some point and came up with the idea of a province-wide telethon.
For those with memories that extend back four decades they will remember many thought the idea, if not outright daft, was at least one which might have been rather grandiose for this province.
But the Kinsmen at the time had a vision, and they rolled the dice.
The first Kinsmen Telemiracle hit the airwaves in 1977 amid tonnes of expectation and apprehension. It was a bold idea.
There were risks in bringing in big name talent, like Bob McGrath the beloved member of the always popular Sesame Street television show.
Saskatchewan had a reputation even back then as a province where volunteerism was high, as was the generosity of people rallying to a good cause.
But it was still a land of less than one million people, spread across a vast area. Could a telethon unite everyone behind the cause of helping those with special needs?
Certainly the reason for the telethon was compelling in 1977, and remains just as important today.
“The Kinsmen Foundation, provides special needs equipment and access to medical assistance to Saskatchewan residents, groups and health foundations to improve quality of life and independence,” details the Foundation’s website.
“For individuals, innovations like ceiling track systems, portable lifts and ramps, funded by the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation, are making it possible for people to live at home and still receive the care they need. And with equipment like specialized wheelchairs, electric scooters, vehicle conversions and communications devices, people are achieving a level of independence they didn’t think possible.
“When people cannot access the level of care they need at home, they must often travel to health care facilities in other parts of the province or country. And while the medical procedures may be covered by health care, the patients and their families must pay for their own travel, meals and accommodations. By easing the financial strain, the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation allows families to focus on what only they can provide – love and care.”
And in 1977, our collective imagination was caught completely. In an era most of use still had only one, maybe two, television channels, we tuned in and we gave.
The first telethon raised $1.2 million, which at the time was considered a record for per capita telethon fund-raising in a 20-hour period.
An idea thought a bit crazy had worked beyond the expectations of all but the most optimistic.
But a question lingered. Once, people got caught up in the ‘event’ — would they stay engaged or a second show a year later?
The answer was a resounding yes.
The telethon passed the $2 million mark for the first time in 1983, and the $3 million mark in 2001. Telemiracle has exceeded the $4 million mark seven times and $5 million four times, most recently in 2014.
The 39th show aired recently raising $4.3 million, bringing the total to-date raised at $111,668,893.
Telemiracle is now a Saskatchewan institution. We await its return each March like the swallows arriving in Capastrano in October. We want to be part of the event, to feel connected as a province coming together to help those who at times need a little extra help.
Telemiracle is a credit to the Kinsmen, and to all who support it, and hopefully it has only one place to go — higher and higher.
