Daily Star
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Monday is Labor Day, which means different things for different people. First celebrated in 1882, Labor Day was created to honor the contributions workers have made to our country.
What it means for many of us is a long weekend.
Others associate it with the unofficial end of summer _ the last chance to take the boat out or fire up the backyard grill.
For the past 44 years, Labor Day has also been the time for the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon to be televised.
The 21½-hour variety show raises funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's service and research programs. Now a holiday staple, the telethon is expected to be seen by about 40 million viewers across the country.
The biggest fundraiser for MDA, the telethon raises money for the fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases. Donated dollars benefit children and adults directly in numerous ways, including specialized care; free flu vaccinations; the repairing of medical equipment, including wheelchairs and leg braces; support groups; MDA summer camp; and ongoing public education and up-to-date information.
Money raised from the telethon also helps fund important research in the quest for finding a cure for muscular diseases.
The telethon will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday with an hour-long segment produced at WISF TV-15 studios in Oneonta. The telethon will also conclude in Oneonta with a three-hour segment starting at 6 p.m. Monday. It will air on Time Warner Cable channels 23 and 27 and UHF 15.
Last year, $84,827 was raised locally. That figure was down about $15,000 from 2008's total, missing the goal of $1 more than the previous year. Local telethon co-coordinator Becky Ashe said it was understandable that the total was down given the state of the economy.
"We are hoping to climb back up," she said.
"We will need Oneonta and the surrounding area's support now more than ever, as MDA is getting closer to a cure and continued research is crucial," said Mark Jeffers, longtime co-host of the Oneonta event.
The MDA Telethon is a wonderful cause. Money raised benefits people battling horrific diseases that attack the body's muscles until they deteriorate so badly the body can no longer go on. Many times, it is children who are stricken with the diseases.
We understand that times are difficult for many families and individuals. Some people just don't have the extra money to give.
But if you can afford to donate, we urge you to give generously.
