THANK YOU!

Off Air Total:

$474,997.61

Change starts here.  Once again, the people of Estevan and area have shown how truly generous and caring they are.  The 35^th annual United Way Estevan Telethon was an incredible success.  We were able to exceed our goal of $300,000.35 by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2011, and when we went off air at 5:00 p.m., $370,647 had been pledged, the largest total in the history of our Telethon.

With these dollars, countless lives will be changed in a positive and lasting way through the member agencies and community impact projects we support.

There are many people to thank for the success of our Telethon.  A huge “thank you” is extended to fellow board members, all of our many volunteers and entertainers, and to you, the people of Estevan and surrounding area, for once again making the United Way Estevan the 1^st in Canada to reach its goal.

Enbridge Pipelines (Saskatchewan) Inc’s “Cooks That Cook” was a success again this year.  30 cooks prepared a wide variety of appetizers, side dishes, main dishes and deserts.  Approximately 246 hungry attendees sampled delicacies prepared by local restaurants including The Tower Café, Boston Pizza, Baba’s Bistro and Homestead, as well as staff and family members of those working at Enbridge.

An excellent meal was followed by a fundraising auction, silent auction and raffle.  Staff from operating groups within Enbridge’s office and field offices sponsored 17 baskets of items for auction.  Silent auction items were donated by a variety of businesses and individuals.  Raffle prizes were also donated.  Approximately $15,500 was raised.

Thank You to Enbridge Pipelines (Saskatchewan) Inc!

Ensign Big Sky Drilling kicked off fundraising for United Way Estevan with a BBQ on Friday, September 23^rd.  Hosted by Chandel Equipment Rentals in Oxbow, over 300 people attended.  Saskatchewan Roughriders Luca Congi and Rob Bagg were on hand to sign autographs.

For $5, those attending enjoyed hamburgers or hotdogs, corn on the cob, and slushies.  Chandel Equipment Rentals and Ensign Big Sky Drilling generously provided the BBQ supplies.  All proceeds will go to the United Way, matched dollar for dollar by Ensign Big Sky Drilling.

United Way Estevan is very pleased to announce that Estevan Triple Threat Theatre has chosen to donate the proceeds from the recent performances of “Hairspray” to the Salvation Army and United Way Estevan.   On September 22, Evanne Wilhem and Arlene LaFrentz of Estevan Triple Threat Theatre, as well as cast and crew from the production of Hairspray, presented the Salvation Army and United Way Estevan each with $9,000.00.  Major Len Millar and Ronza Reynard accepted the cheque on behalf of the Salvation Army.   Roberta DeRosier, Lynn Trobert, William Sinclair and Jennifer Neiszner accepted the cheque on behalf of United Way Estevan.

Congratulations to Estevan Triple Threat Theatre on a successful production!

On Friday, September 30th Enbridges Pipelines Inc will host a fundraiser for United Way Estevan.  Called “Cooks That Cook,” the event brings together 30 cooks preparing delicacies for sampling. Open the attached poster for all of the details.

When: Friday, September 30, 2011
Where: Wylie Mitchell Building
Cocktails: 6pm
Cooks Arrive: 6:30PM
Food Sampling Starts: 7pm
Auction to Follow.
Tickets: $25 per person or $200 per table (seats eight)

For more information or tickets contact David Engleson @ 306-636-7229 OR Email him @ david.engleson@enbridge.com

United Way Estevan is pleased to announce that this year’s Telethon is scheduled for October 14^th and 15^th, 2011.  This year’s theme is “Change starts here.”

The goal for 2011 is $300,000.35.  The 0.35 cents are in honour of the 35^th anniversary of the Telethon.  Every October, since 1977, United Way Board members, volunteers and community members have come together to successfully reach our annual goal.  These results come not from the work of our Board of Directors, but from incredibly generous people and businesses in our community.

The Telethon starts at 8:00am October 14^th and ends at 5:00pm on October 15^th.  The program will be carried on Access Channel 7 with frequent updates on CJ1280 and SUN 102.3.  Held at the Estevan Legion Hall on 4^th Street, the Telethon is filled with local entertainment – from school groups to bands of all types, dancers, church choirs and much more.  Volunteering at the Telethon you’ll see members of service clubs, students, youth and church groups, seniors, volunteers fromUnited Way member agencies, as well as members of our professional and business community.  The Telethon truly pulls our community together as a whole with the single goal of supporting our member agencies.

• Estevan Salvation Army
• Canadian Red Cross
• Hamlet and RM of Benson No.35
• Village of Roche Percee
• Town of Lampman
• Town of Bienfait
• City of Estevan
• RM of Estevan No.5
• RM of Coalfields No. 4
• RM of Browning No. 34 

United Way Estevan is pleased to accept a $511.07 donation from the employees of Estevan’s BMO.  Through BMO’s Employee Charitable Foundation staff at Estevan’s BMO have chosen to support United Way Estevan.  United Way Estevan President, Sheila Guenther, was pleased to accept the cheque.

From right to left, BMO Branch Manager Brian MacKay, United Way Estevan President Sheila Guenther, BMO Senior Vice President Prairies Region, Robert Hayes, and BMO Estevan staff Lorrie Martin, Irene Tarnes, Reni Mack, Tara Porte, Jack Cherewyk, Dorothy Tait and Jolene Brown.

The Day of Caring mobilized our community to make a real difference for individuals or groups that could use a little help.  Volunteers worked side-by-side to complete meaningful projects.  However, it’s about more than yard work, painting and window washing as the Day of Caring saw community building made real.

The Day of Caring sees the programs and agencies the United Way support come to life as those involved witness the value of their work and the significant impact in our community.  Volunteers worked directly with the agencies and staff who deliver help and services in Estevan.  Several business sponsored employees ,who joined individual volunteers and assisted with projects that might not otherwise be completed due to a lack of manpower, physical ability or time.

Wednesday, June 15^th was the United Way Estevan’s 4^th annual Day of Caring.  Each year we have seen this event grow and have an even more significant impact in our community.  The continued and increasing support is tremendously positive and encouraging.  This year’s Day of Caring saw well over 100 volunteers work on 20 projects.

Through work from maintenance and landscaping at a group home operated by Estevan Diversified Services, to yard work at Estevan Regional Nursing Home and Creighton Lodge, we made an impact in our community.  We assisted local residents with window washing, yard work, painting and maintenance.  Pure Energy Early Learning Centre saw play facilities improved through the installation of a sand box.  Ensign Energy/Big Sky Drilling took on an improvement project at the Lions Playground in Oxbow.  The Grade 2 and 3 classes from Westview School sang for and visited with seniors at Hillview Manor.  We are still hearing from volunteers who took on their own projects.

A lunch hour barbecue was co-sponsored by Steam-Est Industries and Trobert Law Firm, and held at the Estevan Alliance Church.  An amazing number of volunteers used the barbecue as an opportunity to become acquainted with new friends and build their knowledge of the community.

The United Way Estevan Day of Caring Committee would like to extend their thanks to everyone who made the 2011 Day of Caring an incredible success!

Full screen slide show available here