2009 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon gets major boostm Harley Davidson
This past Labor Day, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company celebrated their long association with the Muscular Dystrophy Association with a special gift. Jim McCaslin, Executive Vice President of Product Planning, attended the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon to introduce representatives from the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealers Association, sponsors of the annual Ride for Life , which in 2009 raised $960,000. Then, McCaskin presented MDA with a check for $4.5 million, an amount that brought overall fundraising from H-D since 1980 to $73 million. In addition to the Ride for Life, contributions come from pledge rides, dealer events, raffles, and commemorative pin sales.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s largest non-governmental sponsor of research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases. Through programs such as the Labor Day Telethon, they are able to sponsor some 400 research projects annually, operate 220 hospital affiliated clinics, offer over 240 support groups, and send more than 4000 youngsters to special week-long MDA camps. When the telecast concluded, a total of $60.5 million flashed across the giant tally board above the stage.
Of course, we’ve always known motorcyclists are some of the most caring, compassionate individuals in the nation. Even a weakened economy can’t seem to lessen our desire to get involved. RIDE TEXAS® Magazine is proud of our participation with several charities over the years. Information on these, along with other such organizations and fundraisers, can be found on our website and events calendar.
