ONTARIO, Ohio–The Rehab Center never sets a fundraising goal for their annual telethon, and this year was no exception. After all, they consider every year a success and they plan on labeling this year’s event a success, too.
They certainly seemed as though they were on pace for yet another stellar year Saturday afternoon. In addition to the many volunteers collecting pledges from callers, there were check presentations by various businesses and organizations in the community to help support the Rehab Center.
The 24th annual telethon was held Feb. 7 from 12-9 p.m. at the Richland Mall. The telethon was sponsored by WMFD-TV, Phillips Mfg. & Tower Co., Inc. – Shelby Welded Tube, Richland Bank, Jay Industries, Gorman-Rupp Pumps and Lamar Advertising.
Sheila York, marketing and development administrator at the Rehab Center, said that over 300 volunteers helped make the event successful. She highlighted Amanda Zucker, events coordinator for the Rehab Center; Jeff Urban with First Federal Community Bank in Bucyrus; John Brown, president of Richland Bank; Rob Meisse, producer at WMFD-TV; and Veronica Groff, Rehab Center president, noting that their hard work and dedication have greatly impacted this event.
The telethon featured area talent as well as local celebrities, VIP hosts, community guests and success stories of clients who have benefited from the Rehab Center’s services.
Information booths occupied by various local organizations were also set up throughout the mall.
Tammy Funk, drug and alcohol specialist with Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY), had a booth set up with information on CACY’s services. Funk said CACY participated in the event to show their support for the Rehab Center, noting, “I think the Rehab Center in of itself does a lot in the community.”
Money raised during the telethon will go toward the overall operations at the Rehab Center.
York explained, “There are plant closings, there are layoffs, and when that happens people lose their insurance coverage. So what we raise here goes to help the continuation of services to people that need those services but couldn’t otherwise afford them. Whether it’s the deaf community, whether it’s a child or adolescent that needs help with behavioral issues, whether it’s someone who’s had an injury and needs to go through a vocational training program at Progress Industries–it’s all of those things.”
The Rehab Center is a non-profit comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center that serves children and adults in north central Ohio. Their services also include a community center for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, New Beginnings Recovery Services, Progress Industries, and Precise Service. As a Catalyst Life Services company, the Rehab Center’s vision is to help those they serve lead more fulfilling lives.
The Rehab Center offers a sliding-fee schedule for patients who have a limited ability to pay. Most services are covered by private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and self-pay.
York mentioned that the Rehab Center’s first telethon was in 1992 at the WMFD-TV studio. In 1997, the telethon was moved to the Richland Mall.
“It’s been growing every year,” she said, “which goes to show the generosity of the people in north central Ohio. Even though the economy has faltered on occasion, people still are very, very generous.”
