MANSFIELD – Mansfield-area residents did not stop their support for essential health services amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 30th annual Catalyst Rehab Telethon held in early February received a total pledge of $124,049, according to Catalyst Life Services. The non-profit, in operation for more than 65 years, provides addiction, vocational, audiology and deaf services.
On Friday, Nick Gesouras, the telethon committee chair and senior vice president at Mechanics Bank, presented “We made it Happen! Top Dollar Team” trophy to Mid Ohio Area Labor Council AFL-CIO and North Central Ohio Building Trades.
Volunteers from the labor unions raised a total of $21,641 during the 60-minute Labor Hour at the telethon, defeating Mechanics Bank, who won the trophy over the past three years.
Melissa Drozda, marketing and development director for Catalyst Life Services, said Mechanics Bank was a close second by raising $21,515. Ohio Health came in third place with $15,723. The top three organizations raised $58,879 in total during their hours.
Catalyst’s CEO Laura Montgomery said donations fill in the gaps in funding resources. The money will help clients who do not have insurance or are not qualified for Medicaid to get the services they need.
Gesouras joked that he “hesitantly” bestowed the trophy to the unions. Mechanics Bank was humbled and proud to raise the money together with other organizations, he said.
Gesouras also noted that Catalyst and the community are the biggest winners.
Norm Shoemaker, president of Mid Ohio Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, said the two organizations doubled what they raised in 2020. Several unions gave more than they did last year because they know there is more need for it right now. He appreciated the support for the Labor Hour.
“So many people that continue to give that it ended up running over into the next hour,” he said.
Carl Neutzling, president of North Central Ohio Building Trades, said the labor unions have been involved in the telethon since the beginning. They know and believe in what Catalyst’s rehab center does for the community. The organization has helped union members with substance abuse, getting individuals back to work quickly.
Neutzling said many local people stepped up and made their first contributions in the telethon this year, resulting in a greater pledge from the labor unions.
While the telethon took place in the middle of the pandemic, it received almost the same level of support from last year. The total pledge count for 2020 was $124,845.28.
“We definitely didn’t know what to expect financially from people, so we were super blown away with the results this year,” Drozda said.
She said hundreds of individuals, businesses, service clubs and labor unions made the contributions, ranging from $5 to $7,000.
