Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - In 1973, the University of Wisconsin - Platteville presented the first TV-5 Christmas Telethon in support of Wisconsin Badger Camp. Thirty years later, the event is as strong as ever.

The telethon's theme this year is appropriately named "Celebrate" as they celebrate 30 years of support for Wisconsin Badger Camp. Wisconsin Badger Camp is a non-profit organization designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. The camp accepts campers of all ages, regardless of the severity of their disability or geographic location, and is designed so that every camper can participate in every activity.

The telethon was designed as a hands-on learning experience for broadcasting students. A core team of students begin planning for the event 10 months before the cameras start rolling. These students are responsible for every aspect of the production from shooting footage of the camp in the summer, to arranging talent acts.

Currently, it is estimated that over 500 students of all majors participate in the event. They volunteer to answer phones, perform talent acts, raise funds, run cameras, and help out wherever there is need. Alumni even get into the act, taking over for two hours during the broadcast.

Not only students, but many businesses and organizations in the community also help out with the telethon. Over 200 area businesses donate auction items or food to the production. Civic organizations such as the Jaycees and Elks Club donate time and monies to the event.

Aaron Joyce, director of Public Relations for Wisconsin Badger Camp said, "the telethon has grown over the years into an event that combines the efforts of so many people and groups. That collaboration of university, community, and Wisconsin Badger Camp have made the broadcast an annual success. The generosity of everyone is truly overwhelming and Badger Camp appreciates what so many people do for the individuals who attend camp each summer"

Wisconsin Badger Camp asks for, but does not require, $350 from each camper of the $700 it costs to bring a person to the camp for one week. For those unable to pay that, camperships are available to them. To date, Badger Camp has not turned anyone away because of their inability to pay a camp fee. This makes the telethon that much more important. Last year alone the telethon raised over $54,000, which helped send 120 individuals to Badger Camp last summer.

TV-5 works in cooperation with Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Loras College, and TCI of Dubuque so that the telethon can be seen in 23 communities in southwestern Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa.

The 2003 Christmas Telethon staff would like to invite any person who is interested to come and watch the telethon live. It will be broadcasted from the TV studio located in the basement of Pioneer Tower on the UW-Platteville campus on Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 6 from noon to 10 p.m.