MDA Telethon History

Discussion in 'Movies & Entertainment' started by Hannah Davis, May 2, 2015.

  1. Hannah Davis

    Hannah Davis Veteran Member
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    I guess this shouldn't come as too big a surprise, it would seem that the MDA Telethon that takes place on Labor Day is no more. I found this out on the news yesterday. The reason I said this wasn't a surprise is because in the past few years the MDA Telethon or what there was of it started to be phased out. Three years ago it was cut down to six hours two years later four hours and more of a concert then anything else, last year only a few hours. Now comes word there won't even be that this year, apparently the organization has discovered that they can make money all year long online throgh their website and social media.

    I guess I can undestand their reasoning but its still kind of hard to accept. I grew up as part of a generation that thought of this Telethon as an annual Labor Day tradition. It was part of Labor Day itself and now its no longer there.
     
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  2. Brittany Houser

    Brittany Houser Veteran Member
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    I know how you feel Hannah. The telethon was nostalgic for me as well. I wonder why it went downhill? Maybe if they had brought in JayZ and Beyonce or Kanye West, the younger generation would have been more interested. :rolleyes: Nah! Better to let it go! But it makes me sad! :(
     
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  3. Richard Paradon

    Richard Paradon Supreme Member
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    Was this the one that Jerry Lewis used to host? For years I would send in a nice contribution and it was always the same amount. One year I got a letter basically saying, "Don't you think you should increase your contribution?" Well, that was the end of that!
     
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  4. Brittany Houser

    Brittany Houser Veteran Member
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    Yep that's the one alright! Wow how crass, trying to make you increase your donation amount! I read somewhere years ago that the telethon was fraught with problems. Maybe that's why it died. Bad management can kill anything!
     
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  5. Richard Paradon

    Richard Paradon Supreme Member
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    Tacky to say the least. Another one that lost my sponsor ship was Christian Children's something or other. I sponsored two kids for a number of years (which is not too bad for a non per-se Christian) but one of the reasons I did it was because I really enjoyed the art work of the kids on the yearly calendar and cards. And then one year, they dropped of the kids work and "HIRED" a professional artist! Hired with the money I was sending for the kids? These are a couple of reasons why I do not send money to any organization. If somebody needs clothing or food to eat, I will buy if I can, but never again to an organization. LOL....grrrrrrrrr....a rare rant!
     
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  6. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    Other than a yearly telethon for public radio, there aren't very many telethons anymore. I guess it is easier to get money through other means. Although not specific to telethons, I know what you mean about charities in general. While some of them may start with good intentions, eventually they all become more about sustaining the organization and the payroll than about whatever the original cause was. Kids have always been used shamelessly for fundraising. It's for the children...
     
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  7. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
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    I think the telethon became more about Jerry, than MDA.

    With help from the internet, we can check up on a particular charity and see it's track record. To make a difference, we should give to one or two, and be as generous as we can. Those that use professional fund raisers and have a top heavy paid staff, should be ignored. Also, don't forget your local food banks.
     
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  8. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
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    Here we go the truth takes awhile the cause and cure for Muscular Dystrophy was found. Dr Wallach found the cause and prevention for the disease and was able to help people who all ready had the problem. He offered the information free to Jerry Lewis to make the announcement for Jerry's kids. Jerry took the information to the Muscular dystrophy people who fired him and his crew to stop the information from getting out. It is hard to raise millions on something can can be prevented. Jerry has a gag order so he can not go public.
    Here is Dr. Wallach ans a group using nutrition.
    http://www.gofundme.com/4pb5m8
     
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