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 43^rd 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 40^th 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.