GALION — Avita Health Systems won the traveling trophy from the phone bank Rehab Center Telethon 2016 after raising $4,865 during last month’s event.
During its nine-hour telethon at the Richland Mall, the Rehab Center raised more than $110,000, the third consecutive year of collecting more than $100,000 in donations. The telethon, which took place in February, had teams compete to raise the most money for the Rehab Center. Avita was honored for its achievement on Friday.
“I think it’s very exciting to be a part of a community program such as Catalyst, and I think being part of Avita — this really showed who we are,” said Myles Creed, a position recruiter and member of the phone board during the competition. “Being part of the community is truly what Avita is all about, and it’s a proud moment for all of us because the staff all the way up to the physicians were so gracious and generous to contribute.”
Mellissa Drozda, events coordinator with Catalyst Life Services, said her company was appreciative of the hard work put in by all the companies in the event.
“We are excited about Avita winning, and very thankful for the money they raised for the Rehab Telethon during their phone bank hour,” Drozda said. “It is a friendly competition each year, and it is always fun to see who the winner is once the results are in.”
Organizers repeatedly not that community support during the telethon is crucial to the Rehab Center’s various programs.
“The need is great for all of those services,” said Veronica Groff, chief executive officer of Catalyst. “It helps us to fill to fill gaps and with the other funding, helps us keep going. We serve 13 counties across Ohio.
“Crawford County is one of the ones we serve the most of other than Richland. Avita Health Systems being the winner is just a great kudos to them and their health care movement for the community. They have a great team here, and they showed that by raising almost $5,000 in just one hour.”
Because this was Avita’s first year, the team expects to get more donations next year. While Creed said he was happy to nearly reach the $5,000 goal, he was confident his team could exceed 2016’s mark.
“We are going to exceed this number next year, no doubt about it,” Creed said. “Again, it’s a great cause so it’s not hard to get people to back this community effort.”
The Rehab Center is a non-profit comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center serving children and adults in north central Ohio. As a Catalyst Life Services company, the Rehab Center’s vision is to help those they serve lead more fulfilling lives.
Services include a community center for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, New Beginnings Recovery Services, Progress Industries, and Precise Service.
