Telemiracle 47 goes this weekend from Saskatoon. Last year set another record for donations. Courtesy Telemiracle/Facebook

By Doug Lett

Telemiracle 47

Telemiracle 47 starts Saturday

Feb 24, 2023 | 4:50 PM

It’s another “ring those phones” weekend in Saskatchewan. Telemiracle 47 kicks off at 9 pm on Saturday, and goes until 5 pm on Sunday.

The fundraiser, broadcast on CTV and streamed live on the Telemiracle website, is happening in Saskatoon this year.

But there are a few changes.

“We’re really excited to be back here at Prairieland Park,” said Scott Lamb, chair of this year’s Telemiracle. “And we’re actually unveiling a new stage,” he added.

It’s the second time the show has been done from Prairieland. And this year there is a smaller, invited audience. Telemiracle calls it “baby steps” because of a variety of changes that have been made.

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“We have a nice invited kind of small, soft audience launch this year,” said Lamb. “Just to see how the audience plays into all the changes that have been made since since the pandemic, and we’re excited to to get the show rolling,” he said.

In spite of the pandemic, last year’s event raised a new record of over eight million dollars. Lamb said while they always hope for the best, there is no set goal for this year’s donations.

“The goal is to raise as much money possible so we can help help those that we need to help,” he said.

Donations to Telemiracle provide funding for everything from special needs equipment for individuals, to travel assistance, and funding for institutions and health care foundations to buy specialized equipment.

Last year’s record donations led to an announcement on Thursday by the Kinsmen Foundation of $1 million for new health care equipment.

“The impact of these donations means that the Kinsmen Foundation can make a special investment in new health care equipment across the province,” said Kinsmen Foundation Chair Rob Bateman in a statement.

The week has been filled with special events, from pancake breakfasts to tours of health care facilities around the province.

National talent will include names like Beverley Mahood, Brad Johner, Jess Moskaluke, Jeffery Straker, and Michael Linklater.

Lamb said there will also be a tribute to actor Bob McGrath, long time Telemiracle host, who passed away last year.

“Bob spent 40 years hosting the show and being in the hearts of this province and….we’re very excited to do something to honor the memory of our dear friend,” said Lamb.

In addition, there are dozens of Saskatchewan acts from across the province on the 20 hour telethon, featuring a variety of groups and individuals.

But while many people will be in front of the cameras, there is also a small army of volunteers behind the scenes, from production crews and camera operators to people answering phones.

“It’s a tremendous amount of work,” said Lamb. “In the last couple of weeks it’s been thousands of (volunteer) hours…we’re actually tracking a little bit of the total volunteer time… and we’re upwards of around 10,000 hours.”

The celebrations kick off at 6:15 on Saturday, when the Telemiracle Countdown goes live on the Telemiracle website. The main broadcast starts at 9 pm, both on CTV and the Telemiracle website.

People can donate either by phone, or online.