Lewis Telethon to aid Katrina Victims

Televisionpoint.com Team
Jerry Lewis can pinpoint the moment he knew his Labor Day telethon had to be more than another chapter in his long effort to help children with muscular dystrophy. It had to benefit hurricane victims, too.

A TV news report on lost youngsters in New Orleans, followed by footage of an elderly woman being pushed through flooded streets on a mattress, moved him to act.

"I had a box of Kleenex and I'm bawling like a child and I'm not believing it," Lewis told The Associated Press. "If I had the slightest chance of helping them a little, how do you not? ... These people are in trouble now."

Knowing the remarkable compassion of children with muscular dystrophy, Lewis said he's confident "his kids" agree with his decision.

The actor-comedian announced this week that he's splitting the telethon's attention between the Muscular Dystrophy Association's needs and those of victims of hurricane Katrina and is asking donors to divide their compassion.

"If you want to send me 20 bucks for my kids, send 10. Send the other 10 to these people in this trouble. The disaster is literally that and it has to be addressed," the actor-comedian told a news conference.