TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- The Regional Rehabilitation Center in Tupelo offers a variety of services to children who have special needs at no cost to their families.
At the same time, the facility is constantly raising money to help cover the costs of helping those in need.
WTVA joined forces with the center to present a televised fundraiser called Celebration of Hope, which aired Sunday.
The two-hour special is broadcast live each year from the Mall at Barnes Crossing Food Court.
It's a tried and true format that has helped bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Regional Rehabilitation Center.
For the families and those who have benefited from the Center's services, this is a very big day.
For the Griffith family of Tupelo, the Regional Rehabilitation Center has meant the world.
"Insurance does not cover the services that we need, and these services would be very expensive without the donations of everyone here," said Justin Griffith of Tupelo.
The same can be said for Judith and Hamiliton Housley.
"I can't imagine not having the help of the center. And all the people that they do help [is truly] a blessing,"said Judith Housley.
Hamilton resident Evan Trease has just started using the center.
"I used to go to Shriners over in Louisiana to [get assistance]," he said.
Trease says he knows the value of the money raised, and his experience with the center has been an incredibly positive one.
The goal this year for the Regional Rehabilitation Center was to raise $200,000.
With about thirty minutes left in the broadcast, the total was about $13,000 shy.
Donors from across the area -- by phone, check and even cash -- were answering the call.
"We're here to present a check for five thousand dollars to the Regional Rehab, and we're so excited about that," said Sara Palmer of the Elvis Presley Fan Club in Tupelo.
"They help so many people in our area, and we have a great need for this. And it stays in our community. Anytime we can help any family in need, that's just what we do," she continued.
After it was all said and done, the Regional Rehab Center had met is goal.
In all, the telethon raised $205,130.
