A Little History
Nine months ago I started a new position with UCP of West Central WI (UCP of WCW). Uncertain of where this journey would take me, I went for it, in memory of my twin sister Amanda Vieth. She used their services when we were kids. I vaguely remember her being the Youth Ambassador and myself standing by her side for various interviews, services and activities. Now, 21 years later I found myself experiencing these services and activities all over again, but from a different perspective.
Each year UCP of West Central WI holds a variety of fundraising events in order to fund programs and services, which serve people of all ages with varying abilities throughout 12 counties in West Central WI. Some include a Harley Davidson raffle, golf scramble and a walk around Owen Park/downtown Eau Claire. The largest and longest running fundraisers however are the UCP Starfest Telethon and Snowbiz. The Telethon is a traditional, live broadcast telethon where community members can view it on WEAU 13 News and call in to donate to the organization. This is one of the only telethons in the area that is still going strong after now 39 years!
Learning the Ropes
Upon starting work at UCP of WCW I absorbed a ton of information involving these fundraising events, programs and services provided to clients. UCP of WCW offers an adult summer camp, skills training, bowling groups, support broker, supportive home care, a women’s wellness group and more. I must say I was unaware of all of these prior to working with the organization. It’s incredible how many things we offer!
Throughout these past nine months, another new employee and myself learned the ropes of everything we could. Then, on January 26, 2019, it was time to put our knowledge to the test and experience our first Snowbiz and Starfest Telethon. I was rather nervous to work such a large and historical event, but had a great support group within coworkers, WEAU 13 News staff, clients, volunteers, sponsors and committee members. You never really realize how many people are involved until you are behind the scenes of it all and boy are there A LOT of people.
The Day has Arrived
Prior to the day of the event I worked with staff to help set up for the telethon. Retro landline phones are used for volunteers to answer when donors call, we hung curtains, set tables and prepared sheets for volunteers to fill out. Our second largest event, Snowbiz, happens simultaneously to the telethon. Both are located at Cleghorn School Park with the telethon in a community center building and Snowbiz just outside in a very large heated tent. A group known as the Cleghorn Lions gathered volunteers along with us to set up tables, a stage for live music, food stands, bar and more inside the tent.
The day of, Snowbiz went from 11am-11pm and our Starfest Telethon was from 12-6pm, but years ago I was told it used to be a 48 hour telethon. I can’t even imagine working for 48 hours straight and I wonder how many people would call in the early morning hours. During the morning, before everything went live, we made some final touches and prepared our first interviewees to go on TV.
The telethon is basically a long, live TV show and it was very entertaining to be a part of. Watching WEAU news personalities prepare for the camera, ensuring they followed scripts, and deciding on where each person would be placed on set was interesting to witness. Everything fell into place so smooth. Throughout the day community members who use UCP programs and services were interviewed about their experiences. Sponsors also presented checks from various fundraising events and donations that took place in 2018. We gave away prizes to donors who called in and continuously updated a classic tote board with the current donation dollar amount.
I found everything to be really inspiring! I was even interviewed about one of our programs called our ‘Loan Closet’ which provides donated equipment to community members in need. We receive donations including transport wheelchairs, youth fitted wheelchairs, youth tumble form equipment, walkers, crutches, standers, shower chairs and more. My interview took place inside the Snowbiz tent and was surprisingly easy. I used to be afraid of the idea of being on camera and talking in front of a bunch of people (still am sometimes). I now find it fairly easy since working in the non-profit field over the past couple years.
Snowbiz and Starfest Telethon go Hand in Hand
The atmosphere in the Snowbiz tent vs. the Starfest Telethon was completely different, but they complimented each other well. We had entertainment in both events, but the telethon followed a specific schedule and structure, which Snowbiz also did during times interviews took place. However, many people attend Snowbiz to view live music, grab a drink, eat delicious food and bid on raffle prizes while the Telethon is primarily viewed on TV.
Snowbiz is known as the event with the ‘hottest ticket in town’. There are usually around 10 ticket prizes, all worth a few hundred dollars or more. The grand prize this year was a 2019 Honda Pioneer UTV from Zacho Sports Center. People gathered for the music and food, but also to discover who the raffle prize winners were. These tickets are sold for a couple months at Chippewa Valley Kwik Trip locations (this year were 26 different stores) and sold the day of the event, up until the drawing.
During the prize drawing, WEAU switched over to the tent and we honored many of our amazing sponsors, then pulled tickets from a giant raffle ticket drum. The crowd was packed full with all eyes on the stage, anticipation was high, and names were announced.
News staff made this experience funny and enjoyable. As was the whole day for the most part. I found time flying by as I wizzed around the community center building to help out others, prepare people for interviews and then run into the Snowbiz tent for my interview and the drawing. Shortly after the drawing was finished we had about an hour left of the telethon. Everything went incredibly fast!
Reconnecting with a Role Model
The last interview was very special to me. I turned around from speaking with a coworker and there stood my elementary school art teacher, Mrs. Carey! This lady is someone who inspired my love for art. I enjoyed every class with her. Somehow I remember quite a few specific moments, such as; learning about Georgia O’ Keeffe and trying pottery for the first time.
Prior to Mrs. Carey’s interview we caught up a bit and discussed what we’ve been up to. She still volunteers at Longfellow Elementary school by reading to 1st graders. She has a daughter who has Down Syndrome and Autism who uses our Skills for Life program and another in college. I told her about my college experience and how I’ve found myself in the non-profit world. It was the best feeling ever to chat and catch up. I also realized I had her husband as an English teacher in middle school AND he at one point worked with my boyfriend. They are the sweetest little family and this was the highlight of my entire day. Shout out to Mrs. Carey – you are amazing, an inspiration and thank you!
A Happy Ending
Once the telethon came to an end, the final tote board number was updated at 6pm. The board read; $213,121! Thank you to everyone who donated over 2018! What a great number for a great cause. I am incredibly happy and fortunate to have experienced and worked with a variety of community members, organizations, businesses and employees.
After the telethon ended I did a bit of packing up with my coworkers. We took a group photo and I headed out to the Snowbiz tent until around 9pm. I was exhausted and hunger started to kick in, but I stuck around to watch some live music by Divided Highway. I bought a few raffle tickets for a bucket auction that was going on and won a leaf blower! The funny thing is, I bid on it because my significant other was joking around about using one the other day to blow the snow off our driveway.
On the drive home I reflected about this day, how anxious I was for it to happen and then how smoothly everything went. It was an incredible experience to watch WEAU do their thing, meet so many kind supporters and to be a part of something that makes a difference in people’s lives. I’m so thankful to have been given this opportunity. 🙂
There’s probably so many more details I could share, but you’ll just have to see it for yourself in 2020. If you want to donate before then, you’re always welcome to. You can donate online at UCP of WCW‘s website or call their office at 715-832-1782.
100% of proceeds supports people of all ages with varying abilities within 12 counties of West Central WI