Jerry's New Record

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

05 Sep 2006 10:58 AM

When I think of Labor Day weekend my mind often wanders back a couple of decades. In my family the Labor Day holiday was traditionally marked with a weekend stay at a local resort. My grandparents along with my parents and siblings would make the 2-hour drive to Kona where we would spend three wonderful days "living" in the hotel's swimming pool-everyone that is except for my grandfather. He usually spent the better part of our "vacation" upstairs in the hotel room watching the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. He was by no means a recluse; he merely enjoyed watching the acts and of course, waited to see if Lewis would be able to raise "a dollar more than last year."

These days the Labor Day weekend is nothing like it was when I was growing up. My grandfather has since passed away, I have moved 5000 miles away from my family, and in general the holiday is a lot more subdued. However, the one thing about the weekend that hasn't changed is the tradition of watching (at least part of) the MDA Telethon. Perhaps, it has been so engrained in me from the days of my childhood, but like my grandfather, I still hold out hope each year that Lewis will be able to raise that extra dollar.

This year not only was he able to raise one more dollar, the telethon brought in a record $61 million to fight muscular dystrophy. "We did good," said Lewis, as he gazed up at the final figure, $61,013,855, Monday. "I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart for so many little people that can't thank you, can't show their appreciation in any way."

The previous record for the telecast was $60.5 million set in 2003. Since the telethon's inception in 1966 more than $1.4 billion has been raised to fight the disease. In the last couple of years, Lewis has failed to raise "one more dollar." Last year the telethon competed with Gulf Coast relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and raised $54.9 million-far short of its goal. But, this year generous donors came out in full force and helped set a new record. I'm sure the news has made Lewis, his kids, and my grandpa very happy.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Libby Pelham (12876) 05 Sep 2006 11:39 AM

I was so sad this year when I checked my tv guide and there was ONE station showing the MD telethon. When I was growing up, Iloved making a bed in front of the tv and watching as long as I could. Now, it seems to be pushed into the background. Maybe it is because there are so many more channels today, but I still watched quite a bit this weekend. Jerry looks great compared to years past!

Michele Cheplic (37339) 07 Sep 2006 04:07 AM

Thanks Libby--I thought I was the only one that did that! And, I agree, Jerry does look a lot better!