Easterseals Joliet Region raised $14,338 in pledges during the first hour of its 30th annual Celebration of Giving telethon at Heroes West in Joliet, organizers said.

The total was announced during the broadcast after multiple phone teams and sponsors — including Silver Cross Hospital, PNC and Edward Jones — joined staff and community volunteers to solicit donations. Patty Hall, president of the Kiwanis Club of Joliet, told the telethon that Kiwanis pledged $1,500 during the program.

Kelly Wojcak, resource development manager at Easterseals Joliet Region, opened the event and introduced a succession of sponsors, volunteers and musical acts. Scott Paddock, senior vice president of external affairs at Silver Cross Hospital, delivered a recorded message about the hospital’s long-term financial and community support and its decision to sponsor the telethon’s first half hour.

Organizers read a sequence of caller donations on air, citing contributions ranging from $10 and $25 pledges to larger gifts such as $250 and several $100 donations from local supporters and business partners. The telethon repeatedly displayed the donation phone number (815-927-5450) and a QR code on screen.

In addition to Silver Cross and PNC, the broadcast thanked corporate and local sponsors by name, including Barnes Foundation, Century 21, Constellation, Duly Health and Care, Huntington Bank and others that were listed during the program. Rotarians and members of Kiwanis acted as volunteer phone teams, taking pledges and placing calls throughout the hour.

Organizers said the telethon will continue throughout the day with bands, food and additional phone teams at Heroes West in Joliet.