Help The Key Club Help Jerry's Kids

Members of the Ogdensburg Free Academy Key Club will be once again manning the phones at The Journal/Advance News offices to take pledges to help Jerry's Kids during the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Labor Day Telethon.

The 45th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon will feature live interviews with adults and children with muscular dystrophy and related diseases; medical and scientific research updates.

The telethon will begin Sunday at 9 p.m. and end Monday at 6 p.m. Those interested in donating can call The Journal/Advance News offices at 393-1000 to talk to a Key Club member.

Christina B. Frank, faculty advisor for the Key Club, said that it offers Ogdensburg area residents the opportunity to talk to someone local when making their donations, something that many enjoy.

She joked that having the students wake up early on Labor Day is good practice for Tuesday when they go back to school.

"It's getting them back in the school routine," she said with a smile.

Mel J. Busler, sportscaster with WWNY Channel 7, that hosts the MDA Telethon, said that he appreciates what the Key Club members have done for the past decade.

"We're happy to have them on board," said Mr. Busler. "I've always been a big fan of Ogdensburg's Key Club. They are one of the best in the state."

He said that it's amazing that between 10-20 members of the club would sacrifice their last weekend of the summer to help raise funds for Jerry's Kids.

"To give up their last weekend of the summer to spend it in an office answering phones... I thank them," said Mr. Busler.

Last year, Key Club members collected $1,845 in pledges, credit card donations and cash.

Key Club members who wish to volunteer to work a shift Sunday night or Monday should call Mrs. Frank at 713-4016.