Catalyst Rehab Telethon slated for Feb. 4
ONTARIO — The 32nd annual Catalyst Rehab Virtual Telethon is scheduled for Feb. 4 at WMFD-TV Station, with volunteers manning phones to raise money for mental health crisis services and programs to help people thrive despite any disabilities throughout north central Ohio.
The telethon will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 4, broadcast by WMFD from its studio at 2900 Park Avenue West.
Last year, the annual telethon raised $126,291 for a "record-breaking year," Catalyst spokeswoman Melissa Drozda said earlier.
All proceeds will benefit Catalyst Life Services/The Rehab Center on Scholl Road, according to Drozda.
Community leader Doc Stumbo is serving as this year's chairman, with Nick Gesouras the telethon co-chair.
"I'm excited to chair the telethon this year. I've been involved since the beginning," Stumbo said. He said he was on the Rehab and The Center board for 18 years.
"I see so many people who need help and kids who need help. They have a great staff who works with them," he said.
The dollars raised at The Catalyst Rehab Telethon directly support the following service:
• Audiology and Deaf Services: providing interpreting services, education, and training to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, their families, professionals, and the community, and offering audiology services suchas hearing evaluations, hearing aid sales and service for all ages.
• Addiction Services: offering supportive options to address substance abuse concerns including residentialservices, detoxification / withdrawal management services, intensive out-patient services, group andindividual counseling, relapse prevention and medication assisted treatment.
• Vocational Services: offering employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities or whom areovercoming barriers to employment. Catalyst provides onsite training to our clients in the areas of embroidery,digital print, lawn care services, custodial services, and manufacturing while also offering cost-effectiveindustrial solutions for business and the community.
• Mental Health and Crisis Services: offering many program options for families and individuals includingassessment & treatment planning, individual and group counseling, school counseling, case management,medical psychiatric services and nursing services. Catalyst team members work closely with children and theirfamilies to address mental health and behavioral concerns.
Local celebrities, VIP hosts, community guests and success stories of clients who have benefited from the Rehab Center's services will be featured throughout the day.
Community guests include Bradley Tarr, mental health advocate; Brekelle Miller, singer, actress and ventriloquist; Michael Benson, executive director of Richland Academy; and Donna and Jeff Heck of 33 Forever.
Over the course of the telethon's 30 years, the agency has raised more than $2.6 million with 300 volunteers making the annual event a success, Melissa Drozda, spokeswoman for Catalyst/Rehab Center, said. The first telethon in 1992 raised $44,924.
Pledges may be made by calling 419-529-5200 during the telethon. Online donations can be made anytime through the website, catalystlifeservices.org/donate.
There will be volunteers manning phone banks, and hourly sponsors.
Donations made during the telethon will assist the agencies in providing services to those who would not otherwise be able to access these life-changing benefits, according to Drozda.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
419-521-7223
Twitter: @LWhitmir
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: The telethon: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 4, at WMFD's studio in Ontario
