MANSFIELD — The Catalyst Rehab Telethon presented by WMFD-TV took place on Saturday, Feb. 5.
The organization stated it is grateful to the hundreds of individual donors and businesses that contributed to the final total. The telethon went off-air on Feb. 5 with a total of $113,004 dollars raised.
After 31 years, it’s common to expect the off-air total to grow as donations continue to come in after the event closes. However, this year’s total was surprising in its enormity.
The final total of the 31st annual Catalyst Rehab Telethon tally was $126,291.98. A large contributing factor to this increase was a challenge one of the software vendors issued to the community.
Core EHR Solutions donated $2,500 the Monday after the Telethon ended and challenged the community to raise an additional $2,500, all of which the company would match with an additional donation.
The community immediately stepped up to raise this amount. Catalyst easily obtained the additional match and received yet another very generous donation that added to the final total.
Laura Montgomery, CEO of Catalyst Life Services, was thrilled with the results of this year’s Telethon.
“I can’t thank our community enough for the outpouring of support and generosity shown to Catalyst Life Services,” Montgomery said. “It is so evident that the community believes in this agency and the importance of the services we offer.
“I want to say a special thank you to Melissa Drozda, Marketing and Development Director for yet another amazing Telethon, Doc Stumbo – Telethon Chair, Nick Gesouras – Telethon Co-Chair, WMFD-TV, members of our Telethon Committee, and all of the Catalyst employees, board members and volunteers that helped to make this day a success.”
The Telethon was largely produced virtually this year after successfully adapting what was once a large public event that was broadcast live from center court of the Richland Mall.
The production was hosted Live by WMFD personalities and community hosts while all other aspects of the event were virtual. Numerous videos of performers, community guests, client success stories, and check presenters were displayed throughout the nine hours of the event.
Volunteers joined on zoom for the virtual phone banks and helped raise a significant portion of the overall dollars. Volunteers from Mechanics Bank, Park National, Labor Unions, OhioHealth, Phillips Tube Group, Catalyst employees, and even two Richland County Mayors all donated their time to call, text, email and challenge their community to give.
“We were amazed at the final totals raised by the top four virtual phone bank hours,” Montgomery said. “Thank you to Mechanics Bank, Labor Hour, Philips Tubs Group and Ohio Health who all raised more than $10,000 each for their phone bank hour.
Doc Stumbo, who served as the Telethon Chair this year, helped enhance this event with his deep community connections.
“Our community believes in the work of Catalyst Life Services and the success of this year’s Telethon will help so many individuals in need,” Montgomery said.
Stumbo has worked with the organization since 1985 and was a board member for 18 years .
“I really believe in the mission and the organization because they do a great job and have such a great staff who works hard to help individuals overcome mental health and addiction issues,” Stumbo said.
More than $2.6 million has been raised for the services Catalyst provides over the 31-year history of this event. Monies raised at this year’s event help cover funding gaps for much needed services the organization offers for mental health and crisis, substance use disorders, vocational, audiology and deaf services.
All who donated, no matter the amount, are part of a collective success.
Nick Gesouras, who co-chaired the event helps solicit significant donations that will help so many individuals access services.
“We are very appreciative to the longtime donors that always support this event,” Gesouras said. “We also secured new donors to this event which is important as the need for these valuable services continues to grow. So many have struggled with the uncertainties of the pandemic.
“I am proud to live in a community that sees the need for these services and does what they can to help. Our community partners continue to support us even after the Telethon ends. The awareness of our services that is raised from our collaborative relationships during the Telethon each year is just as important as the money raised.
“We are humbled that so many professionals in this community are working with us to make sure everyone is getting the treatment they need and deserve.
So, everyone at Catalyst Life Services wants to issue a huge THANK YOU to the community’s tremendous support. This year exceeded expectations and was the most successful Telethon to date.
