Las Vegas Weekly

September 7, 2009 · 4:52 PM

Jerry Lewis raises $60 million, ends telethon with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’

By Robin Leach

Jerry Lewis at the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon at the South Point.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Every year for 44 years, Jerry Lewis has always beaten the previous year’s Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon total of donations and pledges. Due to the troubled economy this year, it was the first time he failed to achieve his target of always “raising just $1 more.”

However, he did top $60 million, and that is an extraordinary and incredible achievement, with unemployment hovering at 10 percent and ever-increasing home foreclosures.

Jerry is seen here singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel under the final tote board number registering $60.5 million. We’ll have more photos later from our contributing photographer Scott Harrison to add to the photo gallery.

The telethon was broadcast live for a little more than 21 hours from the South Point. Show business superstars in New York and Los Angeles joined our Strip entertainers with performances and fundraising appeals -- and in some cases manned the phones with volunteers.

Despite the effects of an uncertain economy, the closing number for contributions and pledges totaled $60,481,231. MDA National Chairman and telethon star Jerry said he was impressed by the show of support from viewers during difficult times.

Photo: Scott Harrison/Retna/www.harrisonphotos.com

Jerry Lewis at the 44th Annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon at the South Point.

Confetti rained down on him as he celebrated the total and thanked the American people for their generosity, saying that even though the total was down from last year’s record $65 million, it was an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the nation’s economy.

“These are very special people, and their money comes straight from the heart,” Jerry said. “Right now, the only thing I can think of to say, other than thank you, thank you, is love conquers all. So many people, everywhere, even with cares of their own, dug deep to show their wonderful compassion for others who need their help.”

Click HERE for our story earlier today.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter HERE.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

Share This