Telemiracle 50 raises over $10.5 million

Ring those phones! TeleMiracle is celebrating 50 years of fundraising for local initiatives. We get a behind-the-scenes look at the word behind the event.

A record breaking $10,521,072 was raised for the golden anniversary of Telemiracle.

Bill Morrell has volunteered with the telethon for 47 years, and he shared that the heart of the fundraiser has remained the same throughout his nearly five decades with Telemiracle.

“It doesn’t feel any different. The energy that it’s given off by the people here, it’s absolutely a beautiful feeling with pride all the way along the line. This is wonderful. I really think that seeing the progression all the way along the line, the people are still great. And we are still serving the community’s greatest need,” Morrell said.

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This year saw a number of impressive donations, but one in particular brought the entire live audience to their feet, and tears to many eyes.

It was a $2,350,000 gift Alice Tindall arranged through a Planned Giving donation, and it created an emotional moment during the telethon. Tindall died in 2023 at the age of 91, after a lifetime of supporting Telemiracle.

Morrell expressed that while the impressive total often surprised people when compared to Saskatchewan’s population of less than two million people, he is not surprised that so many people support the cause.

“That is a reflection of the pioneer spirit that we have. Neighbors helping neighbors all the way along the line,” Morrell said.

Another repeat volunteer, Blake Veinot expressed that this sense of community is what motivates so many people to donate their time, money and talent to Telemiracle.

“It’s amazing how people open our hearts and our wallets. This is just the greatest. It’s the best thing I ever got into. Very giving, very friendly and like they really care,” Veniot said.

Those who were at Prairieland Park for the event had the opportunity to look through the Telemiracle Museum.

The area featured the history and progress of the fundraiser throughout five decades. Morrell says looking around the collection of photos, newspaper clippings, and merchandise certainly has reflecting on the accomplishments of Telemiracle.

“I don’t think that there is a telethon anywhere that has lasted longer... So there’s a lot of pride there,” Morrell said.