Thank you Brazos Valley for a record-breaking Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon!

For 20 straight hours Monday, you faithfully called in your pledges pushing this year's telethon total to over $169,000.

That's $52,000 more than last year's Labor Day total of $117,000. What a testament to our generous community!

Nationally, the Jerry Lewis Telethon did just as well. Despite Hurricane Gustav in the Gulf Coast, the 43rd annual event raised more than $65 million...that's $1.2 million more than last year.

So many businesses and volunteers are responsible for making this year's telethon a success. There are far too many people to thank, but I'll try to name a few:

A big thank you to the Courtyard by Marriott in College Station for hosting the telethon once again. Thanks to all the businesses and restaurants who donated food and money to the event, the volunteers who manned the phone bank, the folks who raised money at the MDA Lock-up at Outback Steakhouse, area firefighters who filled the boot, Jerry's Kids and their families who live in the Brazos Valley and all the people who made a pledge, or a promise, to MDA. The constant ringing of the phones made Bob French and my job of hosting the telethon that much easier, and oh so fun!

Finally, a big thanks to Mongo from the Brazos De Dios Harley Owners Group for letting me cut his hair on live television. You are a brave man! For those who missed it, Mongo promised he'd let me cut his VERY long ponytail if we raised over $150,000. Mission accomplished...and hair cut!

Thanks again to everyone who helped in the fight against muscular dystrophy. Hopefully, a cure will be found so we can do away with the Labor Day tradition altogether.