Local MDA telethon tops $500,000 mark

In front of the cameras and bright studio lights, 10 volunteers worked the phones as people from throughout Southeast Missouri pledged money on Monday.

But the on-screen volunteers were only a small part of the fund-raising efforts at West Park Mall that brought in more than $500,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

People like Lois McFadden -- a 19-year MDA volunteer -- flitted behind the scenes, helping organize the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Other local volunteers accepted checks and prepared envelopes to be mailed out to those who pledged over the phone. Still more volunteers sold T-shirts.

Throughout the mall, people like Megan Montgomery -- who traveled an hour from Silva, Mo., with her church youth group -- worked fund-raising carnival booths.

Local fire departments were on hand to present the money raised from their "fill the boot" fund raisers. Volunteers from community organizations and college groups handed out prizes to children.

For McFadden, who has volunteered in Missouri for the past 14 years and in another state for 5 years, the event is a chance to give back.

"I love these kids," she said. "I enjoy working with them, and volunteering is my God-given gift."

The annual telethon is a partnership effort between the local MDA and KFVS12, which broadcast live from the telethon site throughout the day Monday.

McFadden said this year's event was different from past years' with the addition of carnival game booths. Mall shoppers and MDA supporters purchased tickets that allowed them to play games -- like tossing a tennis ball into a large milk jar, fishing for plastic fish and launching plastic frogs into a buckets -- to win prizes. The proceeds from the ticket sales went to the MDA.

Tiffany Wilson, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, volunteered to work the milk can toss booth with other members of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Wilson, who has a cousin with muscular dystrophy, said the cause is a personal one for her.

"My family always helps at the St. Louis telethon, so I thought why not do it here," said Wilson. "And I love seeing the kids have smiles on their faces."

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128

About the MDA

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat the 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. All of this work is almost entirely funded by individual and private contributors. Services are provided through 230 clinics nationwide including at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Local Muscular Dystrophy Association annual telethon earnings

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

393,609 422,429 437,000 476,119 500,070