The students and staff of the Penn-Trafford School District pulled together in what has become an annual event, the “Wishes for Warriors” Telethon. The 2025 telethon took place on Monday, December 22. From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the high school’s television production classes and teacher Steve Vinton produced a live broadcast featuring musical performances, studio guests, news, student-produced commercials, and creative videos.
Although the broadcast was limited to 5 hours, the preparation started many months prior. Schools and organizations within the district took the initiative to fundraise on behalf of Make-A-Wish, and many were on hand to present their “big check” at the live broadcast. In total, the district raised over $66,415 – enough to grant 13 wishes to children with critical illnesses. According to Make-A-Wish, research shows children who have wishes granted build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight a critical illness. This can improve their quality of life and produce better health outcomes.
“The impact from a wish is really great and amazing, because a lot of times the families are so focused on medical appointments and treatments, and they get to take a step back from that and regroup as a family and not have any of those burdens on them during that time,” said Taylor Goodman, Make-A-Wish Development Coordinator. “It gives them a refresh for life.”
Penn-Trafford’s telethon has presented $533,168 to Make-A-Wish since its inception in 2017.
PTTV crew watches the production from the control room
Second-grader Aury Caldro introduces the Level Green Elementary performance of Frosty the Snowman
Two of the telethon hosts, Maddy Longo and Alyssa Arko
On behalf of the high school’s Coffee Shop, Josh Boss (far left), Renatta McKinnon (third from left) and Mrs. TeraEnick (far right) present a check for $1,342 to hosts Kaylee Dreistadt, Colin Ratesic, and Allyson Paulone
The PTTV crew displays the final total raised during the 2025 telethon, $66,415