Did you know that the Kinsmen Telemiracle came about because the of the rules? Kinsmen wouldn’t allow cross Canada fund raising in other districts by other Kinsmen clubs. The Kinsmen Foundation was established several years before the first Telemiracle and it became evident that the need was so large it could not meet the demand through usual methods. Through the vision of Kinsmen Peter Kilburn and Urb Donlevy, it was determined that a major province wide fund raising event would have the potential to meet the Foundations needs – that event would be Telemiracle.
There’s also a big PA connection to Telemiracle’s humble beginnings, as Jim Scarrow was a important part of the first TeleMiracle and helped establish the successful format which has kept the Miracle going for 45 years. With major fund raising experience , a Director of the Kinsmen Foundation and as a Past National President, he was able to work with the two co-chairs and the committee. Not only was Jim a Kinsmen member, but he was also the station manager of CKBI Radio at the time. He definitely had the connections to help get something of this magnitude up and running.
Along with J.J. Cennon, who was the CKBI TV manager at the time, they also were among the many MC’s for that first broadcast. Jim became the Producer of the broadcast for Telemiracle’s 3 through 8, and booked many of the stars who appeared, and auditioned hundreds of Saskatchewan entertainers who were important to the success of the event.
I wasn’t quite 8 years old at the time, but I remember the first one quite well. There were only three TV channels at the time, and Telemiracle was on all of them, even the French one. You couldn’t avoid it, but I feel that’s one of the reasons it’s become engrained in the fabric of Saskatchewan
I remember that for years it was a foregone conclusion that everyone in the province would tune in all night long. And as a kid, it was pretty awesome, because how often did your parents let you stay up all night?
My parents and their friends would play Rumoli until the wee hours of the morning, donating all the proceeds of course. Telemiracle wasn’t just a telethon, it was an event. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to go with my friends (sans parents) to the Centennial Auditorium (now TCU Place) and be a part of the live audience. What a fun time that was.
There’s been a slew of performers over the last 45 years, but there’s a few that are burned into my memory. When you’re a kid and some guy named Alvin Law comes out and plays drums with his feet because he has no arms, that gets your attention! Shari Lewis & Lambchop, John Allen Cameron, Rolf Harris, Bob McGrath, Irish Rovers, Frank Mills, Steve Schnetzer (omg! Cass from Another World!), Alan Thicke, and even Tom Wopat… Luke freaking Duke! (I loved the Dukes of Hazzard)
This past weekend saw Telemiracle 45 raise $5.6 million – which seems a long way from the original $1.2 million back in 1977, but remember that’s in 1977 dollars. That same amount of money today would translate into $5.2 million. Telemiracle even holds a world record for the most money raised in a telethon per capita. It makes me feel proud to live in Saskatchewan and see that even with all the other channels now available, and even during a pandemic, that Sask residents still make Telemiracle an event.
Saskatchewan people are notoriously generous when they know the cause is worthwhile. I’ve seen it as a spectator over the years with Telemiracle, and first hand with my participation in the annual Give a Little Life Day on our radio stations, which itself has become a part of the fabric of PA and area.
Thanks to everyone for ringing those phones, and helping the Kinsmen of the province help those with the greatest need.
Comments