Photo: TeleMiracle.com

With just one day left until the kickoff of Saskatchewan’s favourite telethon, the cast and crew of TeleMiracle 49 is sharing what goes into organizing an event of this size. Event Chair, Terri Troupe-Logue, says TeleMiracle 49 is taking place in Saskatoon’s Prairieland Park this year. She says the venue provides the space they need for a team of volunteers, over 80 Saskatchewan Talent acts, the cast, and the live audience. “We have 350 to 400 volunteers coming in to help us run this show, and it’s a huge thing for Saskatchewan.”

On the other hand, Jeffery Straker shares what it’s like to be in front of the camera. He has been a part of TeleMiracle for 14 years. He says the 20-hour telethon can be quite chaotic, and expecting the unexpected comes in handy. “It’s almost a miracle, no pun intended, that by the end of the 20-hours, the whole thing works, and we get that crazy total. There are always unexpected things, but one thing you learn over 49 years, is that you just have to roll with it.”

The Kinsmen TeleMiracle Foundation Chair is reminding the public of where its donations will be going. Jordan Kammer says the organization makes miracles happen, hence the name. “(We help) People who need medical travels. Whether you’re going to Toronto to Sick Kids, going to Edmonton for a transplant, you need a walker, a scooter, a lift chair, whatever that might be…we’re there.”

The annual telethon starts at 9:00 pm on Saturday and runs until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.