Dragon Pearl Tea provided donation and volunteer support for the telethon, which featured 82-year-old Jerry Lewis with Tom Bergeron (America's Funniest Home Videos), Jann Carl, Alison Sweeney, Nancy O'Dell and Norm Crosby. Also co-hosting were recording artists Ace Young, who serves as MDA Celebrity Ambassador, and Billy Gilman, MDA National Youth Chairman.
Here's a shot of the cast & crew I took (with my cell phone) after the telethon.
In all, we raised over 65 million dollars nationally and over $250,000 for the local Central Coast area. The local portion of the telethon, produced by Don Katich of Santa Barbara, was extremely successful, thanks to an experienced crew and the talent of local celebrities, including Lance Orozco, John Palminteri, Carlos Cerecedo and Bob Burton.The California Central Coast part of the telethon was broadcast from the Chumash Indian Tribal Hall in Santa Ynez.
