Seems the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon has been on forever. Probably because the program first aired in 1966, the year I was born.
I remember as a teen, I’d get sucked in by the videos of the the kids my age and younger struggling with Muscular Dystrophy. My favorite part wasn’t the entertainers—it was seeing the sponsors bring out their oversize checks and watching the tote board tally the donations. On more than one occasion, I stayed up all night watching the program.
Some things never change.
Jerry Lewis is still kicking at 82, and still hosts the first and last five hours of the 21 1/2 hour show. And I still tune in every year, if only for an hour or so toward the end to see if they are going to beat the previous record.
Considering the topic of this blog, seeing corporate sponsors donate huge checks has a new meaning for me.
I realize now that social responsibility is about being good, but it’s also smart business.
Another thing that hasn’t changed is I’m still a tote board watcher, except this year, I’m watching my own tote board—for bail money for the MDA Lockup:
Can you or your company donate $50, $25, even $10 to this great cause?
Every dollar helps!
Your support of the MDA Lock-Up will also help provide wheelchairs, clinic visits, support groups and summer camp for the families served by the MDA.