Locals to raise money during televised telethon

A group of Franklin County residents are teaming up with the Florence Civitans who are once again hosting an event that will benefit people in the area who have been affected by cerebral palsy.

The 47th Annual Cerebral Palsy Telethon will be tomorrow from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Franklin County residents Kathy Archer, Cecil Langcuster and Jimmy Rea will be “jailed” at the WHDF TV station in Florence and residents will have to call in and pledge a donation before they can be released.

Archer said each participant is hoping to raise at least $1,000 for United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Alabama, an organization that has helped people affected by cerebral palsy in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties for over 40 years.

UCP of Northwest Alabama offers services like physical, speech and occupational therapy; early intervention instruction for children under age three; and an all-inclusive childcare service for children of all abilities.

UCP of Northwest Alabama also provides funds for families with children under age 18 who have disabilities to hire sitters and they offer free training and technical assistance to local childcare centers.

According to the UPC of Northwest Alabama website, over 176,000 children and adults are provided with assistance from UPC affiliates and fundraising events like the telethon are what helps UPC of Northwest Alabama to be able to offer these services.

If you’d like to support UPC of Northwest Alabama and help the Franklin County participants “break out of jail,” call 256-766-9100.

Lines will be open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., but Archer, Langcuster and Rea will be taking donations from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.