Have you ever wanted to fundraise for a charity but didn’t even know where to begin? Our hope is that by showcasing fundraising stories you will learn where you can start and have fun doing it! This series of blogs focuses on our professional fundraisers who are bringing in the donations, engaging their communities, rallying volunteers, and gaining support for the Kinsmen Foundation and TeleMiracle.
Who is Joan?
Joan Wallman hails from Nokomis, Saskatchewan. She has been a prominent fundraiser for the Kinsmen Foundation and TeleMiracle for more than 10 years. In 2019, her late husband had benefitted from the Kinsmen Foundation receiving a mobility scooter. Seeing the impact of the Kinsmen Foundation firsthand encouraged her to further her fundraising efforts. In 2022, Joan became the Town of Nokomis’s TeleMiracle Representative.
Joan and her family have been avid supporters of TeleMiracle for many years. For the past four years, Joan has presented a cheque on-air at TeleMiracle for the Town of Nokomis and prior to this she presented with Co-op for the different fundraisers done there.
Since 2022, Joan has challenged her daughter Krissy to see who could raise more funds to present at TeleMiracle. Joan, representing the Town of Nokomis, and Krissy the Estevan Kinettes. Using their connections in these two communities has led to an annual challenge that many have tuned in for year-after-year. One year Joan and the Town of Nokomis lost the fundraising challenge, so she was forced to dye her hair a bright color. Another year, Krissy, and the Estevan Kinettes lost, and Krissy had to take a pie to the face.
One of Joan’s most successful fundraisers are elimination table draws. Elimination tables have numbered squares like a calendar that can be purchased and as they run out the price increases per square. The draw for a square is made and the winning square holder receives a prize. Funds raised become part of the total shown at TeleMiracle. Joan has also held community events such as BBQs, pie-in-the-face fundraisers and rallied the Nokomis School to do a pancake fundraiser. Joan gets local businesses involved with coin boxes and the sale of Helping Hands.
A Message for You
Joan would like to emphasize that supporting the Kinsmen Foundation is really for the people of Saskatchewan. All donations stay in Saskatchewan to help someone in need and every donation, no matter how big or small, ultimately helps improve someone’s quality of life. When asked about the importance of fundraising for the Kinsmen Foundation she remarked, “you never know when someone you know needs help.”
What’s Next
With TeleMiracle 50 on the horizon, Joan has many plans to make this the biggest total yet. Fundraisers she has planned include an elimination table draw, luncheon & meal fundraisers, Christmas planters for sale, an online auction, school events, collecting donations personally, through coin boxes and the sale of helping hands. This year she may even have another challenge with Krissy.
If you are from Nokomis or surrounding area we encourage you to go partake in one of Joan’s fundraisers for TeleMiracle! If you are from Estevan and surrounding area, check out Krissy’s TeleMiracle fundraisers with the Estevan Kinettes. If you can’t make it to these areas, you can:
- Look for a local Kin Club near you who may be hosting a TeleMiracle fundraiser.
- Host a TeleMiracle fundraiser in your community.
How Can I Get Involved?
- Fundraising Ideas: In addition to the ideas presented in this blog you can find more information on how to fundraise here.
- Fundraising Kits: The Kinsmen Foundation office also has fundraising kits which include logo, donation tracking sheets, and door prizes.
TeleMiracle is a 20-hour, annual telethon that is broadcast live in Saskatchewan. This event is put on by the Kinsmen, Kinette, and Kin clubs from across the province and it is a fundraiser for the Kinsmen Foundation. The Kinsmen Foundation exists year-round, granting applicants access to medical travel assistance and/or mobility equipment.
Despite only having a population of around 1.2 million people, the generous residents of the province have helped us raise over $171 million since 1977.
