The 2000 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon managed to raise a record $54 million to help people with neuromuscular diseases, while the MDA fund-raising effort in North Central West Virginia also set a new standard.
According to Pam Fleece, promotion and marketing director for WBOY-TV Channel 12 and the area's telethon coordinator, this year's event raised $102,329, breaking last year's record of $100,000.
"It's always a wonderful feeling to go over the top. It's so rewarding to see all of our hard work pay off," Fleece said.
WBOY held live remotes at the Kroger store at Eastpointe and the Wendy's restaurant on West Pike Street to help collect money for "Jerry's Kids." The television station began broadcasting the national telethon at 11:30 p.m. Sunday, and coverage concluded at 7 p.m. Monday.
Gary Bowden, general manager of WBOY and a national vice president for the MDA, said this is the 28th year the television station has been involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon.
"This is something that our employees really enjoying doing, and our success is a reflection of community interest and community assistance," Bowden said.
"The success helps to encourage and motivate our staff to do it bigger and better every year."
Amy Carpenter, 25, has been attending the telethons at WBOY for the past 23 years.
Carpenter, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, was an MDA poster child at the age of 2.
"I come here to carry on the tradition because of my illness. There used to be four other adults that were involved, but all of them are gone now, so I feel like I also carry on for them and what they were doing," Carpenter said.
Carpenter said the MDA helps with 48 different muscular diseases, working on research and patient service programs.
"I have the disease, so this is my life. And now my aunt has been diagnosed with ALS, so I'm doing this for her too," Carpenter said.
Fleece said nearly 600 volunteers help out during the course of the weekend, including people from church groups, civic organizations, high schools, businesses and restaurants.
"I think people don't mind giving up their holiday weekend because they can walk away with a little hope afterward that their effort will make someone else's life a little better. We're that much closer to a cure," she said.
Staff writer Gail Marsh can be reached at 626-1447.
Amy Carpenter, 25, has been attending the telethons at WBOY for the past 23 years.
Carpenter, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, was an MDA poster child at the age of 2.
"I come here to carry on the tradition because of my illness. There used to be four other adults that were involved, but all of them are gone now, so I feel like I also carry on for them and what they were doing," Carpenter said.
Carpenter said the MDA helps with 48 different muscular diseases, working on research and patient service programs.
"I have the disease, so this is my life. And now my aunt has been diagnosed with ALS, so I'm doing this for her too," Carpenter said.
Fleece said nearly 600 volunteers help out during the course of the weekend, including people from church groups, civic organizations, high schools, businesses and restaurants.
"I think people don't mind giving up their holiday weekend because they can walk away with a little hope afterward that their effort will make someone else's life a little better. We're that much closer to a cure," she said.
Staff writer Gail Marsh can be reached at 626-1447.
