Sophie Anderson, a senior at Plum High School, was surprised when classmate Haley Depcon told her during the district’s annual telethon that Make-A-Wish had raised $50,000 in donations. I did.
“I never expected to raise so much money,” said Anderson, 18, who worked with Depcon as a floor director for the telethon. “We were very grateful for that.”
Expectations for the 23rd annual telethon, to be held on Dec. 21, will highlight how much community resources are being used to help victims of the August home explosion in the borough’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood. For some reason, it has weakened somewhat.
But not only did the TV show do well, but the community continued to support it, according to Rick Belot, the TV production teacher and co-sponsor of the National Honor Society at the high school that started the show. Fundraising efforts and donations totaled $50,906.14. phone.
“I was just surprised,” he said. “In a way, we are shocked and just humbled to be able to raise $50,000 after the community and district donated so much for Rustic Ridge earlier this year.”
Fox Chapel area students raised $66,775 during the 34th annual telethon on Dec. 22. That money will be donated to Backpacks for Hunger, a local volunteer organization that provides weekend meals to students in the district.
Students from all six schools in the district: Fairview Elementary, Heartwood Elementary, Kerr Elementary, and O’Hara Elementary. Dorseyville Middle School; and Fox Chapel Area High School — participated in the telethon.
It was planned and produced by members of the high school’s Fox Leadership Council and video production students. The event was streamed live on his Swift Fox Media YouTube channel and can be viewed anytime. youtube.com/@SwiftFoxMedia.
To date, Fox Chapel area students and staff have raised approximately $1.2 million for various local and regional charities. The district continues to accept online donations. Backpackforhunger.org/Donate.
Over 23 years, the Plum Telethon has raised more than $1.14 million. In 2021, it reached and exceeded $1 million.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation, a national nonprofit organization, raises funds to grant wishes for children 17 and under with life-threatening illnesses.
According to Bellott, about $40,000 had already been raised by the day of the Plum Telethon.
Jen Mascaro of Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Murrysville donated just over $5,100. Her team’s fundraiser included drawings for suite tickets to Penguins games and lottery packs, as well as a “sip and shop” event.
Mascaro said he has raised more than $100,000 in four years.
“I love what they represent,” she said of Make-A-Wish. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces really warms my heart. I just love it. I have a passion for it and I love fundraising.
“Maybe we could have continued like this, but we’re running out of time.”
Of the five schools in the district, Pivic Elementary School topped the list with $17,228.25, followed by High School with $15,810. Holiday Park Intermediate, $13,267. Obrock Elementary School, $3,027.70. and $1,573.19 for middle school.
Principal Michael Gountner said this is the second year in a row that Pivik has raised more than $17,000. The K-4 school has approximately 730 students.
Like Bellotto and others, Gantner didn’t know what to expect.
“I think we have a really strong community within our building. Our families, our staff, our students know that what we’re doing is for good,” he said. Told. “Our students and staff embraced this challenge and really rose to the occasion.”
In addition to being members of Bellotto’s television production class, Anderson and Depcon serve as officers, vice president, and treasurer, respectively, of the National Honor Society.
Depcon, a 17-year-old senior, said the association raised $22,000 to support Rustic Ridge.
Despite some hiccups, such as guests not being able to show up or arriving late, Depcon said the telethon went well and they figured everything out as it went along.
“I was really surprised at how much money we were able to make with Make-A-Wish again this year,” Depcon said. “It was honestly unbelievable.”
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Brian can be reached via email at brittmeyer@triblive.com or on his Twitter. .
