Mcgrath receives Sask. honour
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall remembers watching the very first Kinsmen Telemiracle in 1977 and realizing it was “a big deal” because Bob McGrath from Sesame Street was hosting the show.
On Thursday, the premier presented McGrath with the Saskatchewan Distinguished Service Award to honour the performer who has returned for every year but one since then to help the telethon, which has raised $96.5 million for healthrelated costs for Saskatchewan individuals, groups and health-care facilities.
The award recognizes individuals who are not from Saskatchewan but who have made great contributions to the well-being of the province and its residents.
“You are Mr. Reliable when it comes to this cause,” Wall said.
McGrath said he has enjoyed 35 years of participating in the annual fundraising effort, which demonstrates a grassroots philosophy of neighbours helping neighbours.
“The generosity is astounding,” he said.
McGrath, who is bestknown to many for his role on the cast of Sesame Street, has been a professional singer all his life.
Besides his 36 years (including this year) with Kinsmen Telemiracle, he has hosted other fundraisers, most notably Vancouver’s Variety Show of Hearts telethon, which he has worked on for more than 30 years.
McGrath drew a comparison between Sesame Street’s effort to help children understand the difficulties and challenges others face to Saskatchewan people involved in Telemiracle who have “done that in spades — to help people understand the needs of others, to be more sympathetic and to appreciate their own children if they don’t have those challenges.”
The Kinsmen Telemiracle begins its 37th annual show on CTV Saturday at 9 p.m., but the telecast is the culmination of 22 months of preparation, said executive director Joan Steckhan.
About 700 Kinsmen and Kinettes from around the province will be among about 900 volunteers who will be involved during the 20-hour broadcast.
There’ll be people answering phones, keeping track of donations, registering participants and maintaining security, while the television production will be staffed by people with other specialized skills.
Along with McGrath, this year’s cast will include the Sadies, the Stellas, the Arrogant Worms, Victoria Banks, Beverly Mahood, Brad Johner and sons, Donnie Parenteau, Prism, Jeffrey Straker and Andrea Menard.
“It’s not a scripted show. We don’t provide words. It’s
“IT’S NOT A SCRIPTED SHOW. WE DON’T PROVIDE WORDS. IT’S ALL FROM THE HEART.” JOAN STECKHAN
all from the heart. That’s part of the reason it’s fun and cast members enjoy coming back, they can personally become engaged,” Steckhan said.
Saskatchewan people who understand their neighbours’ needs have been raising money for months through activities large and small. Some will travel to the city to present their contributions and others will perform.
“It is a tremendous provincial coming together. It’s really a big deal,” Steckhan said.
Telemiracle doesn’t set annual goals, she said.
“The people of Saskatchewan understand what we do and believe in what we do and will give the gifts that they are able,” she said.