WHAT. A. DAY.

OSBURN — For the second straight year, the Shoshone News-Press hosted the Dave Smith Memorial Christmas Fund Telethon.

For the 23rd year the Dave Smith Memorial Christmas Telethon demonstrated the generosity of the residents of Shoshone County.

The event featured a little bit of everything, from live music to informative interviews, floral design and even an unexpected haircut.

And while donations are still trickling in, the official numbers from the day stand at $20,240 raised during the eight-hour event.

Kicking things off with Paul Robinson and George White of KWAL fame, viewers were able to take a trip down memory lane discussing the roots of the telethon when it was actually a radio-thon and hosted at the now-defunct station.

Moving right along through fun moments with some local elected officials, as well as some other well-known residents, the event really hit a serious note when Silver Valley Meals on Wheels director Julie Crnkovich came on the air to discuss how the event really benefits her group.

“We have two drivers, two vans, one goes from our office here in Osburn and heads east to Mullan and the other heads west, going as far as Rose Lake,” Crnkovich said. “We do about 900 to 1,000 home deliveries a month.”

The telethon primarily funds holiday meals for needy families in Shoshone County, but once those families are covered, the remaining funds go to Silver Valley Meals on Wheels.

Last year, raising just over $20,000 total, the telethon fed 1,088 local residents to the tune of $12,000 in holiday meals and then left $8,000 for Meals on Wheels.

“God bless you guys for keeping this tradition going,” Crnkovich said.

As the donations flooded in so did the entertainment as the Kellogg High School Jazz Band ran through a set of delightful holiday tunes, as well as the Sixth Street Theatre’s Paul and Carol Roberts folksy renditions of many popular (pun intended) carols during the special variety noon hour.

The afternoon was where things got very interesting.

SNP editor Chanse Watson was right in the middle of scintillating floral centerpiece design segment with the always hilarious Sarah Murphy of Sol & Serre fame, when a challenge donation came through that left me (Josh McDonald) without my trademark ginger beard.

After completing my shave and Chanse wrapping up his flower lesson, it was time to interview Shawn Metz, and Matt and Alex Hall, collectively known as HMH Engineering, who have made it a priority to come in over the years and give generously to the telethon.

“We like to be a part of the communities that we work in,” Matt said. “We’re not just here to do the work and then run off. Being a part of this community and this event is really what being HMH is about.”

Soldiering on through the incredibly busy day the telethon hit its final hours, but those were going to feature some of the day’s most meaningful moments.

First, local musical act Sverwood stepped into the SNP Now studio and really showed why they are so popular with several beautiful performances — which was also our most interactive segment of the day — and then Skip Robinett with Dave Smith Motors came in with a BIG donation.

“We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Christmas Fund, looks like we’re at $14,575 (at that point in the day),” Robinett said. “That’s a lot of money for the Silver Valley. And Dave Smith Motors is proud to be presenting them a check for $5,000. This has just been a wonderful day.”

That donation, coupled with the funds on the new GoFundMe donation page put the total over $20,000 for the day.

A final count won’t happen for a few days while all late donations are collected and tallied, but as of right now, this year’s event has surpassed last year’s in total funds raised, but the SNP is still anxiously waiting to see if they broke the all-time record of $21,000.

Once again the citizens of Shoshone County have shown the great things they can accomplish when their goal is helping their neighbors.