The Saskatchewan phenomenon known as Telemiracle is almost upon us once again and Kinsmen Foundation Inc. is already undergoing preparations. This year, a special performer from our very own city of Humboldt will be performing on stage during the live telethon.
Amongst the bands, musicians, and celebrities, 8-year-old Lacey Holowaty will be climbing up on stage to sing and dance for the nation to see.
“I’m very, very nervous. I’ve never been on live television in front of the whole country,” said Holowaty. “(I’m most nervous about) being on TV. I’ve always wanted to be on TV, but I’m worried about messing up in front of a million people.”
Despite Holowaty’s words, she’s an outgoing little girl with a ton of support behind her. Her friend, Livia, was one of many friends to congratulate her, as did her mother, though with a lot more pleasant surprise.
“I couldn’t believe it. With the caliber of talent that we witnessed, I didn’t think we had a chance,” said Lorelle Holowaty, Lacey’s mother. “I just felt fortunate for her to have the opportunity to audition; it’s a good experience.”
Now all that’s left for Lorelle to do is worry for her daughter and hope she’ll practice enough. Either way, when it comes right down to it, she said she has complete confidence in Lacey.
“It seems to be her thing. She loves to perform … she’ll drive me nuts not practicing, but she seems to get on stage and it seems to work out. All the stress was for nothing,” said Lorelle. “I just think it’s important for her because of what Telemiracle stands for and it’s important that she learns the importance of contributing to such worthwhile causes.”
To put action to her words, Lorelle is helping her daughter fundraise for Telemiracle by helping her to sell mini hockey sticks at Broncos games and at the Broncos office. The mini hockey sticks are the product of a fundraising partnership between the Branding Barn and the Broncos and all of it is going towards Telemiracle.
The telethon will take place beginning March 7 until March 9 at the TCU Place in Saskatoon. Anyone is welcome to come in and watch. The show will feature people from across the province such as Patrick Winand from Englefeld, the Prairie Pearls from Humboldt, and of course, Bob McGrath (a fixture who’s been there for more than 38 years). While there will be other anticipated performers, the Kinsmen Foundation is proud to announce that actor Lorne Cardinal from Corner Gas will also be present.
“We try to spread our talent and get a variety of genres so we can please everybody,” said Joan Steckham, executive director for the Kinsmen Foundation. “We’ve got singers, dancers, country, blues, old rock and roll— so a whole variety of things we really try to capture.”
For anyone wanting to join, Steckham said the doors to the TCU Place will be open 24 hours.
