The countdown is on to the 36th Annual Weyburn and District United Way Communithon. The show is set for October 20th and, ahead of the big event, we are highlighting the 14 member agencies that benefit from the annual telethon, including the Saskatchewan Red Cross.

"Here at the Red Cross we provide assistance to anybody who's been affected by a disaster," said Outreach Co-ordinator Melanie Horton. "We also provide a Respect Education program that teaches students the importance of healthy, respectful relationships."

The Red Cross responds 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help provide food, clothing and shelters for anyone who has had to leave their home due to disaster.

"So the money that we raise from Communithon is used, specifically in the Weyburn area, for disaster preparedness, assistance and training," said Horton, adding that they are currently in the process of training more volunteers.

She also noted that the funds from Communithon are "extremely important". 

"Without the money raised from these types of events, we wouldn't be able to provide the services that we do," she said. "We operate on donations."

Along with the disaster relief, Red Cross also holds the annual Day of Pink as part of their Respect Education program, generally held in February.

"Weyburn's been very supportive of the Red Cross," finished Horton. "We're looking forward to another successful year."