Community support crucial for annual HCSCA telethon

On March 27, Merchants National Bank will host the 41st annual telethon for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults.

Now named the HCSCA Ernie Blankenship Telethon and sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Hillsboro and Greenfield, the spring event serves as the primary fundraiser for the society.

Caiden Buchanan, the 13-year-old son of Gary and Heather Buchanan, is the poster child for the 2013 telethon. Caiden has cerebral palsy. He also is blind.

I was honored to shake hands with Caiden during our meeting on Feb. 28 at The Highland County Press. If I thought I'd had a tough day to that point, I soon realized that I hadn't. Thank you, young Caiden, for bringing me back to reality.

Caiden's parents and grandparents are appreciative of what the society does for local families who are faced with medical-related hardships.

Through its first 40 years, the telethon has raised $2,972,581. An hour or two into the March 27 telethon, Rotarians and community contributors will pause for a moment, as the total raised will surpass the $3 million mark.

Each and every year, the good people of Highland County do something that is both amazing and difficult to fully comprehend.

In one combined four-hour telethon in Greenfield and Hillsboro, the community can be counted on to donate more than $100,000 for their friends and neighbors in need. Last year, in a difficult economy, $143,110 was raised, all of which benefits people in Highland County.

So how does just one county with some 40,000 people raise $100,000 or $150,000 in just a few hours on one night? Here's a little secret. It doesn't.

While the telethon itself takes just part of an evening to complete, the real fund-raising efforts are a yearlong labor of love, particularly by the Rotarians of Hillsboro and Greenfield.

The two Highland County Rotary Clubs long ago adopted this telethon as one of their primary endeavors. Their commitment, quite often, includes pledges from 100 percent of the membership.

One of those Rotarians who has worked so hard year in and year out to make this happen is Ernie B. Blankenship. Ernie and the Highland County telethon go together like Jerry Lewis and Labor Day. It's only fitting that Ernie's name is attached to the telethon.

In past years (decades, actually), Ernie has been the telethon's host, emcee, coordinator, stand-up comedian, court jester and on-demand singer. You name it, Ernie has done it – including having his head shaved for goals achieved.

As most of you know, Ernie has had his own health issues of late. But, Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, he'll be there on March 27. He'll probably bring his famous bell, too.

You know about the bell.

With each new contribution that is called in or brought in to the telethon, Ernie acknowledges it by ringing the bell like he's working the Salvation Army Christmas kettle outside Macy's Department Store.

One year, as I recall, Ernie almost forgot his famous bell. He was well into his first hour on that particular Wednesday night before someone found the bell. (There are probably a few volunteers who wouldn't have minded if that bell wasn't located.)

Sometimes, when he gets excited, Ernie rings his microphone and speaks into his bell. That's all right. He laughs and he makes the rest of us laugh.

Remember, Ernie's bell-ringing signals each and every one of YOUR contributions. When that bell rings, everyone knows that each generous act of kindness is recognized and greatly appreciated.

"Oh, he'll have his bell, all right," Society Director Gayle Coss told me. "In fact, as soon as we wrapped up last year's telethon, Ernie was ready to get started on the next year."

That sounds like Ernie.

Stepping up to help co-host the telethon is local businessman Rick Williams. Rick also is a professional auctioneer, so he has no problems with the microphone. In addition, Rick has served as a Rotary Club sergeant-at-arms, so he knows a thing or two about twisting arms for a good cause.

Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward and Judge Rocky Coss also volunteer their time as needed to help keep the calls and pledges coming in.

Of course, of equal importance are those of you who make this event a success, year in and year out. You are to be commended for your generosity and selflessness.

Bob Hope once said: "If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble." 

He's right. And people in Highland County have the greatest hearts in the world. Your charitable acts for the less fortunate families of our community are without parallel.

Please give what you can on March 27 and please do so with the knowledge and satisfaction that you are helping your neighbors.

For more information about the Society, call Gayle Coss at (937) 393-2142.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.