P.A. ready for Telemiracle weekend

“It feels great to be helping the families and putting my sound out there helps get myself known as well,” he said.

Dillon Gazandlare. (submitted photo/Dillon Gazandlare)

Fabian Villeneuve, 25, is scheduled to perform Saturday during the countdown to the main show. Villeneuve has played guitar since he was 12 years old but like Gazandlare has never played for the Telemiracle audience. Gazandlare is well known as a metal musician but recently expanded his repertoire to play blues, rock and jazz genres.

“It’s different but it’s more of a challenge and I am excited to try it [this weekend],” he said. “I hope everyone has a good time performing this weekend including my grandfather who I am very proud of.”

Maurice Villeneuve is scheduled to perform on Sunday.

Telemiracle raised more than $95 million for Saskatchewan residents since it began in 1977. Throughout the year, Saskatchewan people of all ages with mobility and or cognitive challenges apply to the Kinsmen Foundation for financial assistance. The Prince Albert Kinsmen and Kinettes Club of Prince Albert raised over $10,000 through their own fundraising.

The Prince Albert Kinette Club recently held its fourth annual Dueling Pianos fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Telemiracle and other local charities.

A photo of the Smitty’s staff with their helping hands. (submitted photo/Marcus Abrametz)

The Kinsmen and Kinettes are assisting many local Prince Albert businesses, office locations and schools with Telemiracle ‘Helping Hands’ sales, whereby donors can show their support with a paper decorative hand. This program enables customers or staff to show their support for Telemiracle by making a small donation. Supporters will have their name written on a paper hand.

Telemiracle 44 will be broadcast live from Conexus Arts Centre in Regina on March 7 and 8, starting on Saturday at 9 p.m. Both the Prince Albert Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs will attend and assist with the event.

Pancake Breakfast Feast

The latest fundraiser took place at Prince Albert Smitty’s this morning for the Telemiracle pancake breakfast.

Kinsmen member Marcus Abrametz said approximately 250 people came to the event.

“It has been very steady and very busy this morning. We’re very appreciative of everybody who popped in to have pancakes and give a generous donation,” Abrametz told paNOW.

The event raised $3,800 to go toward the $10,000 the local club hopes to contribute.

Abrametz added they’re appreciative of the support they’ve received and were overwhelmed by the turnout.

“This weekend is always a lot of fun and we always look forward to it,” he said. “We have a lot of fun fundraising for Telemiracle and fundraising for Telemiracle is a virtue that is its own reward.”

“Prince Albert is a very generous community too so we’re always very happy with the response we have from the city of Prince Albert.”

Members of the Kinsmen Club will be heading to Telemiracle on Saturday in Regina to volunteer. Abrametz said they’ll be answering phones and will help put on the event where needed.

Also, tonight will be Telemiracle Night at the Prince Albert Raiders’ home game.

“We’ll pass around several cash buckets throughout the crowd and Kinsmen members will pass the bucket from row to row and all proceeds will go to Telemiracle,” he said.

Smitty’s owners Mark and Owen Walter pose for a picture in front of their restaurant at the pancake breakfast. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Smitty’s Owners Mark and Owen Walter said they were approached by the Kinsmen to host the breakfast and they jumped on board.

“If it’s a way for us to give back to our community and to our city and to our province,” Mark Walter said. “It’s a no brainer for us to get in there and get our hands dirty and give back to the people in need.”

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panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW

by paNOW Staff

P.A. ready for Telemiracle weekend

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