Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 02/98) - By 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, with just under half of the Stanton Regional Hospital Telethon left to air, organizers' expectations had been surpassed.

"We reached $100,000 with 3 hours to spare," says Brent Pushkarenko, chair of the emcee committee, in the midst of the afternoon euphoria at St. Pat's high school.

Pushkarenko, who has been involved in telethons before, confirms that this one, put together in a fraction of the time compared to other telethons, was tight, professional and a very successful event.

"The entertainment has been super," adds Pushkarenko. "If this is a building block for telethons in Yellowknife, other telethons could learn from this one."

Besides the fabulous and energetic performances from talented Northerners, the people manning the phones were putting in their own feverish performances, as were volunteers at hospitality and talent co-ordination, to mention just a few.

Viewer response was also extraordinary, with calls coming in from all over the North. One call came in from as far away as Goose Bay, Labrador. The telethon, in fact, could be picked up by satellite anywhere in North America.

There were even two donations of five rabbit pelts, valued at approximately $25, from children who wanted to contribute what they could.

"I am so excited," said Loretta Foley, co-chair of the telethon. "I am really, really appreciative of the hundreds and hundreds of people who made this happen."

Foley is referring to volunteers as well as all the thousands of people who called in donations.

The telethon brings the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation closer to its ultimate goal of $2.3-2.4 million dollars.

Donations are still being accepted.