Outdoor Recreation Resources

The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon appeared to be in jeopordy last month when Jerry underwent heart surgery. However, the popular entertainer and charity worker has recovered from the operation and is back working on the telethon event on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon is as much a part of the Labor Day Weekend as the beach and a barbeque. For over 40 years, Jerry Lewis has gone on television along with other celebrities and appealed to the audiences to make pledges for the children who are victims of muscular dystrophy. Shortly after the telethon began in 1966, everyone referred to them as “Jerry’s Kids,” and in the months preceding the telethon, many stores still have the cans out for everyone to help “Jerry’s Kids.”

What began as a 16-hour appeal that raised $1 million in its first year is now an old day event that raised $60 million in 2004. Neither Mr. Lewis nor any of the other volunteers, celebrities included, receive any money for their tireless efforts. It is unknown why Mr. Lewis is such an advocate for the Muscular Dystrophy Association because he has never spoken about it other than to say the kids are what matters. In addition, today the efforts are also presented across the Internet where even more people can participate in this once a year fund raising effort.

For over four decades, people all across the nation have pledged millions off dollars to aid in research and programs for the victims of muscular dystrophy. With the inclusion of the Internet into the fund raising efforts during the Labor Day weekend, one can only imagine how much farther these efforts will reach. Instead of a national effort, the Internet makes it possible for an international appeal to reach people all over the world who want to make pledges to the worthwhile organization.

For anyone who is home or close to a television set on Labor Day weekend, it is certainly worth the time to take a few minutes to tune in and see the efforts that are being made in this direction. Make it a part of your Labor Day weekend just as it has become an icon of everyone in the world. One cannot help but be impressed with the work that is done by all of the volunteers.

Nicola always enjoys celebrating Labor Day and the end of summer. Visit her Labor Day 2006 site for Labor Day party tips and news, information and views at http://labor-day.your-holiday.info

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-Holiday.info

Of all the things our teachers teach our children, they do not often touch on the idea of Labor Day history for kids. How much do our children know about this important holiday? If anything, they only know that it is a holiday for workers, but that is the extent of it in most cases.

The designation of Labor Day as a national holiday prior to the turn of the 20th century is historical enough for our children to know about the history of the holiday, and not just that it is a holiday for working class Americans and Canadians. It is an important part of their heritage as Americans to know that the celebration began in 1882 in New York for those working under labor unions. From its conception in 1882 to its later designation into a national holiday in a bill signed by President Grover Cleveland, it has become an important part of our history.

Some confusion may exist concerning the adoption of the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day celebration. Some sources say it’s to differentiate it from the Socialist Labor Day on May 1st, a date that later became May Day, and others indicate that it was chosen because it is halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving. Regardless of which version you accept as truth, it is still important to know that Labor Day is not just a holiday to celebrate the unofficial end of summer, nor is its purpose to signify the beginning of autumn and a return to school for our children.

The historical significance lies in the fact that upon its inception, 40 percent of the workforce worked under a labor union, and the holiday was set aside to honor those workers. Currently, about 14 percent of the workforce belongs to a labor union. Although it still holds significance for those older workers and retirees who belong to the labor unions, for most, Labor Day means the unofficial end of summer and a day off from school. Sadly, Labor Day has taken the same road as Memorial Day and is only recognized as important by those who lived in the era that caused its creation.

In future generations, the children will not even know its significance unless we teach them now. Let us not forget the significance of Labor Day and teach our children the struggles their forefathers endured in order to allow the labor force to become one where the average person can earn a decent wage without working 16-20 hours a day six days a week.

Nicola always enjoys celebrating Labor Day and the end of summer. Visit her Labor Day 2006 site for Labor Day party tips and news, information and views at http://labor-day.your-holiday.info

This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Your-Holiday.info