The 2009 Shodair/Children’s Miracle Network telethon once again proved that generous people all across Montana want to make a difference in the lives of children.
On Saturday, May 30, an array of Montana businesses and individuals made miracles happen for children and families all across the state. They did so by donating funds, time, goods, and services for Shodair Children’s Hospital’s 2009 telethon broadcast. With phone banks manned by volunteers from businesses and organizations in Helena and elsewhere, the hospital launched its annual day-long fundraising event to benefit Montana children. The event was broadcast live from Shodair on Montana Television Network / CBS affiliates around the state.
Shodair is Montana’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital and, as a non-profit facility, depends on donations like those raised during the telethon to continue offering its services.
Shodair’s telethon was part of the international Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration broadcast that aired May 30. This television special, live from Walt Disney World, is broadcast each year over a network of some 200 television stations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is the signature fundraising event for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Shodair is Montana’s only Children’s Miracle Network hospital and, as a non-profit facility, depends on donations like those raised during the telethon to continue offering its services.
During the day-long broadcast, viewers all over Montana heard inspiring stories from individuals and business representatives, who took the microphone to talk about their reasons for supporting the hospital and Children’s Miracle Network. Many donors and Children’s Miracle Network corporate sponsors came from locations around the state to personally present their contributions and work the phone banks throughout the day and evening. Staff members from Shodair’s psychiatry, genetics, and education departments were also on hand to offer additional information about services available to families.
Eleven year-old Zach Bell was on hand to talk with donors, volunteers, and on-air personalities. Zach was a psychiatric patient at Shodair, and was Montana’s representative in the 2009 Champions Across America program, attending events in Orlando, Florida and Washington D.C.
Miss Montana Outstanding Teen, Victoria Valentine, and Miss Rodeo Montana, Leslie Furniss, joined the telethon to talk with hosts about their enthusiasm for Children’s Miracle Network and Shodair, and answered phones throughout the day. The Miss Montana program, through its association with the Miss America organization, supports Shodair and Children’s Miracle Network fundraising efforts. The Miss America organization has selected Children’s Miracle Network as its national platform.
The telethon is made possible by the efforts of hospital staff and volunteers who graciously contribute their time to make the event possible. Local businesses donate food to feed the small army, whose members arrive early on the morning of the telethon and work until 11:00 p.m. Television hosts represented markets across the state and included broadcast personalities from Butte, Billings, Great Falls, Glendive, Kalispell, and Missoula.
