By Mickey Schommer
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – CP is adapting its annual telethon this year to make it more accessible to new audiences.
The non-profit organization provides therapy and life-skills services for children and adults with disabilities.
The telethon event directly supports the non-profit organization by funding for programming, services, staff training, as well as supplies and equipment so that CP clients can be as independent as possible.
For the past 69 years, the telethon has always been aired on WBAY during the first full weekend in March.
However, CP is “changing it up” for their 70th year, said Director of Donor Engagement and Marketing Kristen Paquet.
Instead of one full weekend of telethon programming, CP will host two events over the weekend — a new livestream event on Saturday, March 2, 2-4 p.m., and their traditional telethon broadcast on WBAY on Sunday, March 3, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
The livestream is an interactive two-hour event that features some client-favorite activities, giveaways and various segment topics.
Anyone can register for free through CP’s website.
The event offers CP a new way to interact with communities in the area.
Questions during the livestream are also welcome from the audience who are participating from their computer or mobile device.
CP is aiming to make it as interactive as possible for their viewers.
In addition to the livestream, the traditional telethon will remain, running one day instead of the entire weekend.
Entertainment, client stories and panel VIPs will also continue.
“This is a big change for us,” said Paquet. “We’ve had 70 years of tradition and we want to be respectful of that. But we recognize that we need to reach a new audience in a new way, so we’re trying to find a good balance between the tradition everyone has come to know and being on the cutting edge of something different for the future.”
To register for the livestream, go to wearecp.org/telethon.