Penn-Trafford students, staff have helped fund 75 'wishes' through annual telethon

Students in Steve Vinton’s video production class at Penn-Trafford High School have the four hours of their annual holiday telethon planned down to minute.

Part of that plan includes throwing out the whole plan at a moment’s notice.

“Sometimes, with live production, things can go wrong,” said senior Phelan Newman, 18, who will be producing, performing and hosting at various points during the 2022 Penn-Trafford Wishes for Warriors Holiday Telethon, which airs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday on Penn-Trafford TV’s social media channels.

“Last year, we had a live performing group that came in late, and you just have to be ready for that,” Newman said.

Starting in October, Vinton’s students began reaching out across the school district to the different groups that would be hosting fundraisers for the local chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

“Last year we passed the $250,000 mark for total fundraising over the past six years,” Vinton said. “It’s continued to get bigger every year.”

Fully organized and run by students, the telethon brings together live hosting, performances and interviews with pre-taped segments, all to benefit Make-a-Wish recipients. Money raised during the telethon’s history has granted 75 wishes.

Below, see the 2021 telethon:

“We go out and cover the different fundraisers all over our schools,” Vinton said. “At McCullough Elementary, they did a big event, Frosty Fest, that ended up raising $8,000.”

Vinton’s students, such as senior Aidan Kelly, then put their classroom experience into action.

“It’s fun just moving around being on your feet,” Kelly said. “Seeing the whole district come together and donate for Make-a-Wish is really awesome.”

This year, Penn-Trafford teachers helped raise enough to grant a wish, donating about $5,000 in exchange for wearing jeans on a series of dress-down Fridays. In addition, telethon donation fliers featuring a giant QR code are posted throughout the high school, so that anyone with a smartphone can quickly donate to Make-a-Wish if they choose.

This year, Delaney Auto Group in Hempfield has signed on as a presenting sponsor.

Some of the work that goes into the telethon content has been going on for quite a while: Senior Zach Grabowski’s game-show segment started filming and editing in May of the previous school year.

“I like seeing all the events and programs in the district being showcased,” Grabowski said. “It creates a real sense of community.”

“It’s incredible what we’ve all been able to come together and do,” Newman said.

The 2022 “Wishes for Warriors” Telethon for Make-A-Wish will air live on the Penn-Trafford TV YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages . For more, see PennTrafford.tv.