Plum High School prepares for annual Make-A-Wish telethon

For more than 20 years, students in the Plum School District have staged a telethon benefiting Make-A-Wish.

After collecting about $57,500 last year and topping a lifetime collection of $1 million in 2021, they’re anticipating collecting less this year, said Rick Berrott, a TV production teacher and co-sponsor of the school’s National Honor Society, which started the telethon.

Berrott is expecting a reduction in donations because of how much has been given to support the residents of Plum’s Rustic Ridge neighborhood affected by the Aug. 12 home explosion, which claimed six lives and damaged more than a dozen homes.

Fundraising efforts toward the Make-A-Wish telethon have been underway in district schools. How much they have raised ahead of the telethon this week was not available.

Over the past 22 telethons, a total of $1,089,000 has been raised, Berrott said. He does anticipate going over $1.1 million.

“Whatever we get, we get,” Berrott said. “The community not only has stepped forward for Make-A-Wish this year, it’s stepped forward for everyone in Rustic Ridge, also.”

Granting one wish costs an average of $5,000.

“If we can raise enough to get a couple of wishes, that’s fine,” Berrott said. “It’s important the students give back, which is always the goal. They get a good education, and we run a solid show.”

The 23rd annual Plum Make-A-Wish telethon will start at 7 a.m. Thursday and run through about 3 p.m. It can be viewed live on the district’s website, YouTube, Facebook and X.

A recording of the telethon will air on Comcast Channel 98, and Verizon Channel 30. Times and dates for the airings were not immediately available.

The telethon, started in 1999, missing only 2020 because of the covid-19 pandemic.

While students in the National Honor Society oversee the fundraising, Berrott’s TV production students stage it.

The telethon will feature guest interviews, videos of fundraising at district schools, games and a musical performance by Josh Verbanets, a Plum graduate and half of the children’s performing duo, Josh & Gab, with Gab Bonesso.

Verbanets is scheduled to perform about 1:40 p.m., Berrott said.

Nearly 100 guests are expected.

Among them are Steelers sideline reporter Missi Matthews, a former student of Berrott; Steelers play-by-play announcer Bill Hillgrove; Paul Zeise and Chris Mueller from 93.7 The Fan; Dan Kingerski with Pittsburgh Hockey Now; Kyle Dawson, Washington Wild Things play-by-play broadcaster; sports reporters Jenna Harner with WPXI, and Rich Walsh with KDKA; and WTAE anchor Mike Clark.

Superintendent Rick Walsh, school board members, principals, teachers and student athletes also will appear, Berrott said.

Student hosts, in Berrott’s television production class, are Aly Pastor, Kate Joyce, Logan Shovel, Pascale Olczak, Lauren Letzelter, Jack Tongel, Matthew Loehlein and Madison Pickett.

Donations can be made at any time by calling 412-471-9474.

“Hopefully, we’ll raise a nice sum of money for Make-A-Wish and sponsor some wishes,” Berrott said.