Auditions to be held Saturday for telethon

The Kenny Rogers Children's Center will hold auditions for its second annual "Telethon Idol" to be held at the center's 27th annual telethon.

The organization serves children with all types of special needs, including prematurity, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, seizure disorder, autism, ADHD, sensory processing dysfunction and other developmental delays. Occupational, physical and speech therapy are all provided at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center in Sikeston and in many surrounding school districts. Therapists use a team approach to coordinate services for children and their families.

Auditions will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau, with registration beginning at noon. The entry fee will be collected at registration; proceeds will benefit the telethon. All ages welcome. Auditions are a cappella and may not exceed two minutes. Selections will be announced after 5 p.m. Saturday.

The 25 chosen candidates will perform live at the telethon March 24 and 25 at Sikeston's Field House, where they will compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to meet and audition for a record producer and writer at Evergreen Records in Nashville, Tenn. Contestants need not be in attendance to be selected for telethon participation. Those not present will be notified by phone no later than Monday.

Telethon events include a pageant for ages 1 to 9 years old at 2 p.m. March 24 at Sikeston Field House and a fish fry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 25.

For more information or to make a pledge, call (573) 472-0397 or visit www.kennyrogers.org.