50th annual Rainbow Connection Telethon raises record-setting $306,580

Nancy Molnar, The Times-Reporter
·2 min read
Rainbow Connection volunteer Jeff Mathias (left) and Executive Director Perci Garner share the stage during the last hour of the medical charity's 50th annual telethon, which raised $306,580.
Rainbow Connection volunteer Jeff Mathias (left) and Executive Director Perci Garner share the stage during the last hour of the medical charity's 50th annual telethon, which raised $306,580.

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Sunday's 50th annual Rainbow Connection Telethon raised a record-breaking $306,580 to help disabled and disadvantaged individuals in Tuscarawas County.

The fundraiser, which included an online auction, ended at 4 p.m. after a five-hour telecast hosted by Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School.

The record-setting amount raised by Sunday's 50th annual Rainbow Connection Telethon is shown on a monitor at Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School, which hosted the fundraiser.
The record-setting amount raised by Sunday's 50th annual Rainbow Connection Telethon is shown on a monitor at Tuscarawas Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School, which hosted the fundraiser.

The telethon raised in $269,546 in 2022 and in $272,264 in 2021.

2022:Rainbow Connection Telethon raises $269,546

2023:Three things to know about March 12 Rainbow Connection telethon

2021:Rainbow Connection Telethon raises $272,263.77

In the last hour of the event, Executive Director Perci Garner and volunteer Jeff Mathias urged viewers to donate and bid on such auction items as a two-day trip to see an Ohio State University team play at the University of Notre Dame. The trip, donated by phone bank volunteer Lois Grandison, went for $2,500.

Garner said the Rainbow Connection can help one person for about $1,000.

"We help people that are suffering," he said.

Rainbow Connection Executive Director Perci Garner (with microphone) stands with volunteers and staff at the end of the charity's 50th annual telethon on Sunday.
Rainbow Connection Executive Director Perci Garner (with microphone) stands with volunteers and staff at the end of the charity's 50th annual telethon on Sunday.

Mathias urged viewers to donate and bid out of gratitude.

"We're not sleeping outside," he said. "We are blessed, so we've got to give back."

He made an on-the-spot $500 donation, and urged other real estate agents to follow suit. He then pledged another $100. Phone bank volunteer Ryan Clugston gave $200 and challenged his fellow insurance agents to follow his lead.

Garner offered to perform challenges for donations, provded they would not harm anyone. He impersonated late comedian and actor Bernie Mac in a pitch asking viewers to call the telethon's phone number and pledge.

A telethon cue card lists some of the projects funded by the Rainbow Connection.
A telethon cue card lists some of the projects funded by the Rainbow Connection.

Sunday's telethon was the first to be assisted by officers of the New Philadelphia High School Student Council, a telethon sponsor. President Marilyn Stokey and Vice President Alexa Alsept took shifts answering phones.

A cue card posted at the 50th annual Rainbow Connection Telethon lists some of the uses of the health charity's funds.
A cue card posted at the 50th annual Rainbow Connection Telethon lists some of the uses of the health charity's funds.

Stokey said she found the experience educational.

"I definitely learned to operate an analog phone," she said. She also learned how to handle a call in a cheering crowd.

The Rainbow Connection assists with medical bills, prescriptions, hearing aids, diabetic supplies and aids for children with special needs. Help for children has taken the form of communications devices, a playground, a Challenger baseball field and sensory rooms in schools. A recent project made the Tuscora Park Ferris wheel accessible for people with handicaps.

During the last five years, the Rainbow Connection has given more than $1.2 million to over 10,000 residents in Tuscarawas County, Garner said. It has helped residents in the community for more than 70 years.

Information about applying for assistance may be obtained by calling the agency at 330-343-8686. More  information is available online at https://www.tuscrainbow.org/ and on the Rainbow Connection's Facebook page.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Rainbow Connection Telethon raises record amount at half-century mark