MDA Lewis, celebrities return for telethon

The effort raised $60.5 million last year.
Jerry Lewis and friends will keep a Labor Day weekend tradition alive by appearing in a telethon to benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Lewis, the famous comedian and MDA national chairman, will star in the marathon national broadcast, from 9 p.m. Sunday to 6:30 p.m. Monday. The telethon will be shown locally on WYTV Channel 33. It also can be seen on the Internet at www.mdausa.org, via streaming video provided by RealNetworks.
Ed McMahon will be anchorman, with co-hosts Jann Carl, Cynthia Garrett, Norm Crosby, Billy Gilman, Leyna Nguyen and Bob Zany.
Guests will include singers Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Elton John, Charo, Kimberley Locke, Kenny Rogers and Tony Orlando; pro wrestler and movie star The Rock; Bear from the children's TV show "Bear in the Big Blue House"; comedian Billy Crystal; musical groups Cornell Gunther Coasters, Platters and Beary Hobbs' Drifters; actors Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Ray Romano, Jason Alexander, Ed Asner, Sean Hayes; TV show hosts Jeff Probst, Alex Trebek, Dr. Phil and Leeza Gibbons.
Also featured will be performers from a nationwide "Stars Across America" talent search.
Funds raised
Last year's telethon raised $60.5 million in pledges and donations.
More than 1,000 grassroots fund-raising festivities and special events to benefit MDA will be held in connection with the telethon.
Locally, Simply Ed's 24 Hour Karaoke for MDA will be from 5 p.m. Sunday to 5 p.m. Monday at Kahunaville, Eastwood Mall, Niles. Events will include a live auction at 9 p.m. Sunday, with sports memorabilia and gift certificates up for grabs, and a breakfast buffet at 2 a.m. Monday. Proceeds will go to MDA programs in Northeast Ohio.