LOCAL MDA EFFORT RAISES $305,247

The final total in regional pledges broadcast by KFVS-TV 12 in Monday's MDA Telethon was $305,247 -- $6,790 more than last year.

Helping that total was the $105,400 collected by participating Kroger stores in Southern Illinois. Their contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Association were recognized on the final segment of the local broadcast from University Mall at Carbondale.

When the final portion of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon was broadcast at 6:30 p.m., the national toteboard showed pledges of more than $47 million, surpassing the goal by more than $1 million.

Terry Turner, KFVS-TV weekend anchor and host at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, called the telethon "a lot of fun." He said the rides, the music and the craft fair in the Show Me Center added to the atmosphere, and attracting large crowds.

Pam Land, KFVS meteorologist, joined Turner at the Show Me Center as co-host of the broadcast, which began at 9 a.m. Land and Turner were first-time participants in the broadcast, but she said she was ready to volunteer again next year.

Carla Fee, MDA patient services coordinator at the Cape Girardeau office, said the festival that coincided with the telethon was a success. The festival included 45 arts and crafts booths that lined the Show Me Center floor, four carnival rides and music from Q-99 radio station.

"It was the first time to have the telethon in the Show Me Center," Fee said. "I didn't know how it was going to turn out, but I am very pleased. There has been tremendous support from the community."

Fee said more than 60 volunteers helped with the festival.

Doug Conyers, MDA program coordinator at the Cape Girardeau office, was busy behind the scenes at the Show Me Center Monday, gathering pledges and adding totals in his first telethon. He called it a "total team effort."

Conyers said the phone lines were quite busy while the telethon was broadcast live from Cape Girardeau or Carbondale.

Twelve volunteers handled the phones taking pledges while two were on the toteboard in three-hour shifts. "Several volunteers have been around all day doing whatever is necessary," Conyers said.

Ron and Suetta Veatch of rural Campbell were two of the MDA volunteers participating in the festival, selling tickets to the carnival rides. Their 14-year-old son, Chris, has received MDA services since he was 2 and was diagnosed with juvenile spinal muscular atrophy, one of 40 neuromuscular diseases being fought by MDA.

Chris was riding around the Show Me Center on his scooter -- his means of walking for the past five years. He said he enjoys the week he spends at MDA Camp near Carbondale every summer.

"We do a lot of swimming, sports, fishing and lots of water fights," at the Touch of Nature Camp, Chris said. "We have a good time."

Chris is an active high school freshman, said his mother, a special education teacher. He plays drums in the high school marching band, participates in physical education classes and is a class officer. He used to play baseball when he was younger, and now he keeps statistics.

"I hardly ever say `no' to Chris," Suetta Veatch said. "His attitude has helped him to do a lot of things that most kids with muscular dystrophy wouldn't. He has an optimistic attitude. It's amazing what he can do."

The biggest help from MDA is from its research, said Ron Veatch, a machinist with a tool and die company in Piggott, Ark.

"MDA is a comfort for the patients in that their needs are met," Suetta Veatch said. "No one could replace the research that is being done by MDA."