Some information about Jerry Lewis and the MDA telethon.

Some one posted earlier about charities and how some charities had high salaries given to those that operate the charities.

Someone else mentioned how they never gave to the MDA telethons because Jerry Lewis was paid millions for his involvement. While I am not a big "Jerry Lewis" fan I still think he did good work for MDA. So I did a little research on whether He was paid for his MDA work. Jerry Lewis was never paid for his MDA work. I found several articles that talk about how he donated his time for zero money. There is also a "Snopes" article about that as well.

So my hats is off to Jerry Lewis for doing the telethon for 44 years. Plus he did a Thanksgiving MDA show starting around 1952 until 1965. So that is 58 years of supporting the MDA.

Now some of the other officers of MDA are pretty HIGH paid.
Snopes on Jerry Lewis and the MDA Telethon.

I agree with you. There is a lot of bad information floating around in this world and a lot of people are too lazy to check the facts. A lot of people put in time and effort to make the MDA telethon work.

Yes. I couldn't stand the guy when he was on screen, but he certainly was dedicated to helping those kids. I've never read anything that indicated he was paid anything.

+1. Back in the '50's era dad was a big supporter of the MDA effort. Got me to help out too. Jerry didn't need their money. Once the guy was off camera he seemed to be a real likeable guy.

Mark

I saw an interesting news story recently about a small local charity that used professional charity service to raise money for its cause.

While a percentage of the proceeds went to the service, the amount raised was many times more than the volunteer charity workers could have raised on their own.

Even though they're paid, these people are out there doing good work, raising money. By being paid, they can dedicate the entire work day to the cause, where a volunteer generally has limited time.

Everybody gasps in horror when they hear someone is being PAID to do charity work, but they don't bother to look where the rest of the money is going!

The rest of the money is used to pay big corporations for supplies and equipment. The rest of the money is used to pay professionals (i.e. doctors, lawyers, tradesmen) for their services. None of these are going broke taking the charity money. They're sometimes breaking even, but usually turning a PROFIT! Oh my!

Example: You give $100 to the local volunteer fire department. They take that $100 and use it to help buy a new fire truck. That fire truck was built by a company that makes fire trucks for PROFIT. Hmm? Shouldn't they be donating that truck to the fire department because it's a charity?

+1. Recently on here was a discussion about supporting
Paralyzed Veterans of America, a charity that has been in
business since 1946 or 9 forget. Have been a donator for about
15 years. Used to support the Hospital Ship HOPE till they
decommissioned it due to old age.

In the discussion it was disclosed that 60% of the earnings go to
advertising...."paid advertising", part if which is to people
working in the advertising field making a living like you and I
do/did. A lot of it is via their director who is also a paraplegic.
They have a financial records on file for public viewing for the
interested.

Like anything else. If you have something for sale and dig a hole
in your yard and bury it, telling no one, how do you ever expect
to sell it?

If you are not a member (of a bonafide worthwhile charity) get
one. You'll feel better knowing you helped someone in need
that can no longer help themselves.

Mark