The United Way of Estevan has started to meet on a weekly basis in advance of their annual telethon.

Their first meeting was held on August 25. Meetings will continue every Wednesday until the telethon on October 15 and 16.

“The committees will be doing the work to prepare for the telethon, and everything organization-wise in relation to that,” said president James Trobert. “We’ll be preparing our business kits for our corporate donors, and getting everything on the go for another successful telethon this year.”

The goal for this year is $300,000. Trobert is confident that the goal will once again be attained and exceeded.

“The community has always gotten behind the United Way telethon,” said Trobert. “That’s why it’s been such a great success, and that’s why we’ve always been No. 1 in Canada for so many years.”

Entertainment and volunteers are still needed, Trobert said. Anyone who is interested in providing entertainment, or knows of somebody who could supply entertainment, is asked to contact Gwen Densley at 634-5490.

“It can be a band, a dance routine, stand-up comedy, or anything else,” said Trobert. “We’re always looking for good and new entertainment, too, because we like to highlight some new entertainment each year.”

The more volunteers they have, the better the telethon will be, Trobert said. There is also room available on the local United Way’s board of directors.

This year’s telethon will begin at 8 a.m. on the 15th and continue until 5 p.m. on the 16th. The theme is “Get in the Way.”

Estevan’s United Way has been the first in Canada to reach its goal 32 times in the telethon’s 33-year history.