TELETHON VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, needs volunteers, said Darlene Allen, president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Twin Rivers Chapter.

The telethon begins at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6 and will run uninterrupted until 6 p.m. Sept. 7. It can be seen locally on KFVS-12 and will be broadcast locally from West Park Mall.

"Volunteers play an important role in the telethon's success," Allen said. "Over 200 volunteers are needed for a variety of behind-the-scenes jobs, including phone operators, mail room workers, tabulators and messengers."

Volunteers are also needed to staff the outlying pledge centers in Kennett, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston. Volunteers are also needed for the center in Paducah, Ky. and for centers in Anna, Carbondale, Harrisburg, Marion and Mt. Vernon in Illinois.

The 27th annual telethon will originate nationally from the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, with satellite feeds from Branson, and other locations across the country.

Hosting the local segments will be KFVS news anchor Mary-Ann Malony and sports director Randy Ray.

MDA operates a clinic at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau and fund research on neuromuscular disease by scientists in Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky. It is estimated that more than a million Americans are afflicted with neuromuscular diseases.

More than 80 million viewers tune in the annual event, and it is broadcast by more than 200 television stations in the U.S. and Canada.

Last year, the telethon raised $45.1 million nationally and $233,000 locally.

"With the strong support of America's Heartland, we hope to at least equal last year's totals," Allen said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call the local MDA office at 335-4400.