45th Annual UCP Telethon Set Jan. 2702:47PM / Monday, January 07, 2008
PITTSFIELD - The 45th annual United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County Telethon will take place live Sunday, Jan. 27, in Pittsfield and North Adams. A taped telethon will be broadcast in South County.
This year's theme is "Kids Are the Bridge to the Future" and the goal is $35,000, to offset funding needed for programs of advocacy, assistive technology, children and support to individuals and families. All funds raised remain to support these services in Berkshire County.
The event is the major fundraiser for UCP and features children's entertainment, educational clips about services and special guests from the community. Laurin Publishing is the major sponsor of the telethon.
Hosting the live event at the Crowne Plaza from 2 to 6 p.m. will be Jennifer Shumsky, Larry Kratka and Sherman Baldwin of WUPE radio, David Winchester of WSBS and "Professor Presto." It will be broadcast on Pittsfield Community Television Channel 16.
Hosting the live event at Northern Berkshire Community Television's studio at Heritage State Park in North Adams will be Adams Town Clerk Paul Hutchinson and Rod Bunt of Mayor’s Office of Tourism and Cultural Development. That show is also from 2 to 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on NBCTC Channel 15.
In South County, Steve Cozzaglio and Monument Mountain Regional High School television students will be hosting along with Paul Kakely, who will be adding special entertainment and guest "cut-ins" as they produce the event.
It will be broadcast on a two-hour taped delay on Channel 16 at Community Television of the Southern Berkshires' studio in Lee from 4 to 8 p.m.
Radio celebrity Eric Green will be hosting a "radio-thon" on WUPE 1110 AM/ 100.1 FM / 94.1 FM from 2 to 4 p.m.
In North County, David Fabiano’s staff and volunteers NBCTB will assist volunteers and UCP staff to produce live entertainment and interviews. In Pittsfield, Bernie Avalle’s staff and volunteers of PCTV will be producing the event.
This year's chairmen are Francis "Fran" Marinaro and Dan Dillon, said Brenda Curry, president of UCP of Berkshire County.
Marinaro, register of probate in Pittsfield, is a longtime supporter and advisory board member of UCP. This is his 12th year leading the event. Dillon, former president of Berkshire United Way, is relationship development officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union.
"I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with UCP," said Marinaro. "UCP is an incredibly well-run organization that does so much to assist children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities."
"It’s exciting to be active and involved with UCP," said Dillon. "The support this agency lends to the people it serves is incredible.”
This is a free, family event. The public is invited to all location sites and to support UCP by making a pledge. A silent auction and a raffle will be held during the Pittsfield event. |
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