MANSFIELD, Ohio – One of the area’s longest running fundraisers, the Rehab Telethon, marks its silver anniversary this year as the 25th annual telethon kicks off on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Since 1992, the Rehab Telethon has helped to ensure The Rehab Center can continue to provide services to people living with disabilities throughout North Central Ohio. For those involved, the work throughout the last quarter century has been a “labor of love.”
“No one does anything for 25 years unless you think it’s valuable and you’re enjoying it and having fun, which certainly has been the case,” said Jeff Urban, a co-chair of the telethon.
Urban has been involved with the Rehab Telethon since its inception, when as a young man new to the Mansfield area he was asked to help raise money as an honorary chairman.
“I remembered being impressed they had called me because I was brand new, and they sought me out sight unseen,” Urban said.
What sealed the deal for Urban was taking a tour of The Rehab Center, where he learned about the organization, the services it provides, and the importance of those services to the greater Richland County area.
“I’ve been fond of saying that the foundation of the success we’ve had with the Telethon is the fact that we have an organization that’s been around for 62 years,” Urban said of The Rehab Center. “People know The Rehab Center, they respect what they do, they see the value of the services provided, and because of that they’re willing to help us.”
Over the years, the Telethon has raised almost $2 million that is rolled directly back into The Rehab Center, an agency of Catalyst Life Services. Though mostly serving people in Richland County and the surrounding areas, the services provided by Catalyst Life Services reaches approximately 18 Ohio counties.
“This is local money helping local people,” said Sheila York, marketing and development administrator for Catalyst Life Services. “The money stays here to provide services for those that otherwise might not be able to receive the services.”
Catalyst Life Services represents the integration of The Rehab Center and the Center for Individual and Family Services, providing a full range of services for children, adolescents and adults. Programs include services for mental health, alcohol and other drug treatments, medical rehabilitation services and forensic services.
“Ask yourself if you know someone that has used the services of The Rehab Center,” Urban said. “Maybe it’s a coworker, family member or neighbor. Those are the folks who derive the benefit from all this, the people who are able to gain access to these services.”
Starting at noon on Saturday, Feb. 6, The Rehab Telethon will be televised on WMFD-TV from the Richland Mall. On the very first Telethon almost 25 years ago, the event was broadcast from the WMFD-TV studio on a snowy February day.
“We raised $44,000 that first year,” York said. “We had sponsors coming in without knowing whether the event would be successful or not.”
This year’s sponsors for The Rehab Telethon include Richland Bank, Phillips Manufacturing & Tower Co., Inc., Shelby Welded Tube, Jay Industries, Gorman-Rupp Pumps, MT Business Technologies, WMFD TV and Lamar. In addition, Richland Source will be managing the Telethon’s social media for the first time with the hashtag #RehabTweetathon.
York noted the 25th anniversary of the Telethon is a true testament to the longevity of the event.
“Many fundraisers don’t last more than one or two years, especially in a community like this,” she said. “With the ups and downs of the financial community and the economic status of new companies coming in and old establishments leaving, this has been a longstanding fundraising event.”
Pledges can be made during the Telethon on Feb. 6 by calling 419-529-5200. Make a pledge any time by calling 419-756-1133 or visiting www.catalystlifeservices.org/donations. All proceeds will benefit The Rehab Center.
12-1 p.m. Miss Ohio Sarah Hider/Joe Lenehan
1-2 p.m. Madi and Ana Heichel
2-3 p.m. Mansfield Senior High School Choir
3-4 p.m. United In Harmony
4-5 p.m. Jai Merina
5-6 p.m. The Race Ministries
6-7 p.m. Newdome and The Fiddlers
7-8 p.m. Fun Center Chordsmen
8-9 p.m. Bob Cox and Friends
