Artiste Jerry Lewis helped raise a record $65 million for
the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the Labor Day telethon he hosts each
year. In addition to this, the charity performance also collected funds for the
people affected by Hurricane Gustav.
This year’s 22-hour telethon, broadcast from Las Vegas, included a special request regarding
MDA-registered families who were forced to abandon their homes as a result of
the hurricane’s intensity, which made landfall on Monday in Louisiana. The storm affected approximately
5,000 MDA families unable to get by without assistance and services in their
new location, the organization explained.
Moreover, the entertainer also encouraged viewers to
contribute to the Salvation Army’s emergency disaster services.
The total funding obtained in this year’s 43rd
annual fundraising telethon was $1.2 million more than 2007’s haul, in spite of
the fact that Jerry Lewis said he did not expect the earnings to surpass last
year’s number because of the lethargic economy.
“Each year I tell myself, ‘This has got to be it. There’s no
way we can do better.’ Then, the following year, I’m astounded to see that
generosity driven by love and compassion has a greater capacity than I thought
possible,” the comedian said. “I am awed and humbled by this response,” he
added, according to The Associated Press.
The 82-year-old comedian, award-winning actor, producer and
director, hosted the telethon from the South Point hotel and casino in Las Vegas with some help from long time participant Ed
McMahon, U.S.
singer Tony Orlando, “Access Hollywood” host Nancy O’Dell and other important
showbiz figures.
What’s more, numerous music industry celebrities such as
Celine Dion, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock and Reba McEntire performed during the
telethon.
In conjunction with the annual telethon, the benefit also
consisted of an online auction of travel packages, electronics, sports
memorabilia and other articles. The auction is due to continue until Thursday.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is an organization
founded in 1950 that combats muscular dystrophy, as well as diseases of the
nervous system and muscular system, in most cases by funding research,
providing medical and community services and educating health professionals and
the general public.
Jerry Lewis helped establish the MDA and has been hosting a
Labor Day telethon to raise money for the organization since 1966. His efforts
have helped raise about $2 billion for both neuromuscular patient care and
research.
Although at first “Martin and Lewis” took part in the
fundraiser, Jerry Lewis did not give up when he went solo.
Among Lewis’ performers in the 1970s and 1980s was Frank
Sinatra, who took the showman by surprise once by joining him up with Dean
Martin on the 1976 telethon.
In 1985, Jerry Lewis received a U.S. Department of Defense
Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
The International Association of Fire Fighters has donated
over $250 million up to now.
On his 40th Labor Day telethon three years ago,
the entertainer added Salvation Army fundraising to his usual MDA benefit and,
in addition to this, he also urged viewers to donate to the American Red Cross
as well. He has also hosted the 1987 and 1991 editions of the French Muscular
Dystrophy Telethon.
