Since its inception 45 years ago, the annual Easterseals Telethon has been broadcast on channel 25 (WEHT) on a Sunday in April. While the COVID pandemic forced both parties to tweak the format a bit over the last two years, the 2022 edition saw a nearly complete overhaul of the event, including moving it to an entirely different day. The new format proved to run so well, they've decided to stick with it for 2023.

History of the Easterseals Telethon

The first telethon was broadcast live on WEHT in 1978 from Washington Square Mall. Over time the location shifted to the therapy gym inside the Rehab Center facility on Bellemeade Avenue where it has remained ever since. Regardless of the location, the format had remained the same until last year; six continuous, commercial-free hours featuring the WEHT personalities sharing the Center's success stories and speaking with patients who rely on the services of the Center all while encouraging you and me to call the phone number listed at the bottom of your TV screen and pledge a monetary donation to help the Center continue its mission.

Easterseals Rehabilitation Center via Facebook
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center via Facebook
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When is the 2023 Easterseals Telethon?

While the goal of raising as much money as possible to help the Easterseals Rehab Center continue providing physical therapy and other services to children and adults with disabilities in the Tri-State will remain the same, the method by which it will be conducted this year will be different. For the first time in its history, the event won't take place on a Sunday. Instead, it will happen this Friday, April 14th. Other changes include a longer window of time to share the mission of the Rehab Center and take donations. Instead of Noon until 6:00 PM, the event will begin at 5:00 AM at the start of Eyewitness News Daybreak and will continue throughout the day until 7:00 PM that evening. During that time, WEHT and its sister station WTVW (The CW 7), will periodically interrupt regular programming to provide updates on the donation total and speak with Rehab Center representatives as well as this year's child and adult ambassadors. Ange Humphrey will also broadcast ABC Lifestyles from the Center from 11:00 AM until Noon.

How to Donate to Easterseals

In addition to the telephone number that will be present on the screen throughout the duration of the day, you'll be able to donate through a text-to-give option, as well as a QR Code that will be displayed on TV that will allow you to make a donation online through your phone.

Outdoor Activities

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
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As has been the case for many, many, many years, the E'ville Iron Street Rod Club, which has been a huge supporter of the Rehab Center, will host a Cruise-In in the Rehabilitation Center's parking lot featuring several beautifully restored hot rods and other vehicles from decades past.

We will also be on-site throughout the day broadcasting live along with our Townsquare Media Evansville/Owensboro sister stations. We hope you'll join us in supporting the great work the Rehab Center continues to do each and every day.

[Source: Easterseals Rehabilitation Center on Facebook]

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