United Cerebral Palsy Sets 46th Annual Telethon

01:22PM / Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 46th annual United Cerebral Palsy Association of Berkshire County Telethon will take place live on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. from the Crowne Plaza Hotel and from Northern Berkshire Television Corp. in North Adams.

"Our telethon goal is to raise $35,000 to support our underfunded programs of advocacy and children's programming," said Brenda Curry, president of UCP of Berkshire County. "Community support is needed to make a difference in the lives of children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities that are looking for the tools in becoming independent and to make their dreams possible. We hope the community will join us."

The event's major sponsor is Laurin Publishing, she said.

It will be broadcast on Pittsfield Community Television's Channel 16 and NBCTV's Channel 15. It also will be broadcast on a two-hour taped delay on Channel 16 from Community Television for the Southern Berkshires. Monument Moutain Regional High School students will air it from 4 to 8 fromCTSB's studio in Lee.

Radio celebrities Eric Green and David Isby will be hosting a "radio-thon" on WUPE 1110 AM, 100.1 FM and 94.1 FM from 2 to 4 from the Crowne Plaza.

In addition, there will be a silent auction and a raffle held during the Pittsfield event. PCTV director Bernie Avalle, staff and volunteers will be producing the event. In North County, NBCTV Executive Director David Fabiano's staff and volunteers will assist UCP to produce live entertainment and interviews at its studio in Western Gateway Heritage State Park.
 
The theme of this fundraising event is "Kids Are the Bridge to the Future." A goal of $35,000 has been set to offset funding needed for UCP's programs for advocacy, assistive technology, children and support to individuals and families. One hundred percent of funds raised remain to support these services in Berkshire County.
 
The event will feature children's entertainment, educational clips about UCP services and special guests from the community. See schedules below.
 
Co-chairmen for the event are Francis B. Marinaro, register of probate for Berkshire Probate and Family Court, and Daniel C. Dillon, relationship development officer for Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Hosting the event in Pittsfield will be Jennifer Shumsky, Larry Kratka and David Winchester of WSBS and Professor Presto. Hosting the event in North County will be Adams Town Clerk Paul Hutchinson and Rod Bunt of Mayor's Office of Tourism and Cultural Development. In South County, Stephen Cozzaglio of CTSB's board of directors, the Monument Mountain television students lead by anchors Jess Long and Stevie Beauchaine and Director Amelia Ellis and their adviser Paul Kakely will be producing the show, adding special entertainment and guest cut-ins.
 
"The telethon is a wonderful event that showcases the good about the children in our community who give up their day to be entertainers at all three of our telethon locations," said UCP Executive Director Christine Singer. "It's about the countless volunteers and donors who believe that UCP services make a difference to people with disabilities in our community."
 
This is a free, family event. The public is invited to all location sites and encouraged to support UCP by making a pledge. Photographers and reporters are encouraged to attend.
 
For further information and to sponsor the event, contact Singer at 413-442-1562.

Schedule of Entertainment at the Crowne Plaza

2:00	Dave Winchester Taconic High School concert band	3:45	Berkshire Music School Oldies But Goodies Rock 'N' Roll Show
2:15	UCP "Fun Club" Singers	4:00	Farrell's School of Irish Dance
2:30	CYC all-star cheerleaders	4:15	Youth Alive Step, Dance and Drumline
2:45	Taconic TheatreTaconic Honors chorus	4:30	Oldies But Goodies Rock 'N' Roll Show
3:00	Happy Hearted Voices	5:00	Mary Verdi
3:15	Pittsfield High School cheerleaders	5:30	Richmond Consolidated School jazz band
3:30	Albany Berkshire Ballet Cantarella School of Dance

Entertainers at NBCTV

Karen's School of Dance	Bowie The Clown
DanceCapades School of Dance	Justin Hillman
Billsville Boys lead by Ron Gallagher (who says his been mistaken for Kenny Rogers)	Josh Hillman
UCP Dancers directed by Karen Moderski-Rougeau from her dance studio	Brayton Step Dancing Team

Schedule of Entertainment at CTSB

4:00	Monument Mountain Regional High School chamber choir	6:15	The H20 Pokemon
4:15	Erica Frighetto and Simon Pringle-Wallace	6:30	Tynan Whalen (The Apostle)
4:45	Ariel Shrum	6:45	Olivia Wilber
5:15	Melissa Middleton	7:00	Keller Dinan
5:30	24 Strings	7:15	Kyra Taberman
5:45	Chris MangiardiRenee D'Angelo	7:30	Justin Hillman
6:00	Rachel Roth