Representatives of branches from
across the country joined NALC
National MDA Coordinator Jim
Williams in presenting the union’s
$2.1 million in pledges and donations
at this year’s Muscular Dystrophy
Association Labor Day Telethon in
Las Vegas.
 |
| NALC Executive Vice President Jim Williams presents NALC donations to Telethon host Jerry Lewis during the nationally televised Labor Day Telethon. |
Williams, a member of Portland,
Oregon Branch 82 and former NALC
executive vice president, reminded
host Jerry Lewis that the NALC became
one of the first major supporters
of the MDA more than 50 years ago.
“What letter carriers do for MDA is
worth it,” Williams told Lewis. “When
we see a child display the kind of
courage that most can only imagine in
the face of terrible adversity, our hearts
are changed. We are proud to have
partnered with you all these years.”
Carriers from each of the NALC’s
top MDA fund-raising branches,
plus a representative from the NALC
Auxiliary, attended the event September
2-3, which was broadcast live to
dozens of television stations nationwide
from the South Point Casino.
Branches represented were the
fund-raising leaders in 10 membership
categories. In past years, the
top two branches in five membership
categories sent representatives; the
change gives more branches a chance
to take part. This year’s total telethon
take was a record $63.7 million.
“When it comes to generosity, it’s
tough to top letter carriers,” said
NALC President William H. Young,
who serves as an MDA vice president. “From everyday acts of heroism,
to our national food drive, to
MDA, we prove again and again that
we can work hard to deliver America’s
mail and still find it in our hearts to
help our fellow citizens in need.” | 
