United Way telethon is bigger and better

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WORTHINGTON — This year’s Worthington Area United Way telethon will be much more than a television event.

People interested in the telethon may watch the event live from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday on Cable Channel 3, or on the Daily Globe’s Web site at www.dglobe.com. They also may listen to it on FM radio stations 95.1 and 93.7, as well as AM station 730.

And, additionally, they have the alternative of actually attending the telethon.

“With Laurie’s (Jensen) help, we’ve brought the concept of a live studio audience,” explained Matt Widboom, who will serve as the telethon’s co-host, on Monday. “The previous two originated from the TV3 studio, and we felt it really limited the opportunity for people to be a part of it.”

Jensen, who Widboom hailed as the telethon’s executive producer, said the live in-studio event — to be inside the Worthington High School gymnasium — will offer plenty for all.

“We’re having a meal … and there are live vendors that will be there so they can do some early Christmas shopping,” Jensen said. “They can also see the silent auction items and bid on them right there in the gymnasium, as well as the entertainment.”

Vendor booths will include Mary Kay, Cookie Lee, Avon, Tupperware, Avalon (manicures), Gettin Purse, Heavenly Hairbows, Pampered Chef, Discovery Toys and Party Lite.

Silent auction items for the event include: two Wild Rose Casino packages ($170 Stay and Play package, and an overnight stay for two with meal and Wild Rose bucks); King’s Pointe Resort (one night stay in Lake View and four water park passes; 8x10 autographed photo of Kevin Williams of the Minnesota Vikings; a Minnesota Twins gift; Prairie’s Edge Casino (one night stay and two buffets); Royal River Casino (getaway package); two Timberwolves tickets; four Sioux Falls Skyforce tickets; dinner for four at Alan Oberloh’s home; and a Tailgaitor’s Package from Sanford Worthington.

As for the entertainment, Widboom noted that United Way board member Karen Buchman has stepped up in a significant way to coordinate the evening’s talent. The WHS drum line will open the evening, students of the Kay Prunty Dance Academy will be featured, and several vocalists and other community performers are also on tap.

The Worthington Area United Way had its first telethon four years ago, but there has not been such an event for the past two years.

“The telethon gives an opportunity for those who aren’t targeted through the business campaign or the mailing that has gone out, and it kind of brings the whole campaign back to the center of mind for citizens of the county,” Widboom said. “We’ve been running the campaign since the middle of September ... and it’s kind of a good time to remind everyone what we’re doing.”

Serving as Widboom’s telethon co-host Thursday will be Kelli Van Grouw. The duo, in addition to featuring plenty of local and regional entertainment, will showcase some of the agencies that benefit from the United Way.

“We’ll spend a lot of the night highlighting the 19 agencies … and we’ll have a lot of these folks in live to tell their story of what they do in the county,” Widboom explained. “We also had the participation of Kris Besel’s TV class; they produced about 10 videos highlighting our agencies.”

“It’s always important to remind people that United Way dollars stay in our communities, and that the money that is raised goes toward serving the needs of the communities,” Jensen added.

Donations will be taken via telephone during the telethon, and pledges to the Worthington Area United Way remain welcome by mail to the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, 1121 Third Ave., Worthington 56187. Checks should be made payable to Worthington Area United Way.

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