....... first hosted by Lewis and Dean Martin in 1956.

Hey pallies, likes it hot off the presses....the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon is fini....done...gone...ended.  The official announcement is shared below by the pallies at News Channel 8 WFLA, Tampa, Florida.   A press release from MDA, shared by the Associated Press notes that the telethon began in 1956 and hosted by none other then our most beloved Dino and his most beloved partner Mr. Jerry Lewis.

Likes as you will note in sharin' the end of this historic yearly event, the prose highlights what they tag (and likes we couldn't 'gree more!!!!!) ".... one of the most surprising and touching moments in television history when he ( Mr.Frank Sinatra) reunited estranged partners Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on the 1976 Telethon."  And, of course, as you will note, they include a fabulous candid of our Dino, Mr. Sinatra, and Mr. Lewis sharin' that most important moment in all of small screen history.....at least to our way of Dino-thinkin'.

Likes dudes, we are so so psyched that the MDA in their news release have chosen to gives the hugest of huge nod of appreciato to our Dino and Mr. Lewis for hostin' the first telethon and to remind the whole world of that most  surprisin' and touchin' moment of our Dino's life, times, and teachin's.  Simply remindin' the whole world of the huge huge role our Dino has played in their fund raisin' efforts.

Today's Dino-gram is more 'n more prove positive that the Dino-legacy will likes goes on forever!
To view this information in it's original space, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report.   As a little bonus, likes we can't resist sharin' the youtube vid of that most awesome moment in Dino-history when our main man and Mr. Lewis meet face to face after a ton of years.  Dino-awed, DMP

MDA to end Labor Day telethon

Posted: May 01, 2015 1:19 PM CDTUpdated: May 01, 2015 1:19 PM CDT

By Associated Press

 

Frank Sinatra orchestrated one of the most surprising and touching moments in television history when he reunited estranged partners Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis on the 1976 Telethon. MDA photo

The Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, a Labor Day television tradition for decades, is ending.

MDA mad the announcement on Friday saying it was the right time to end the annual event, memorably hosted for most of its life by entertainer Jerry Lewis. MDA said the following in a news release-

"MDA, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, today announced that the new realities of television viewing and philanthropic giving have made this the right time for the organization to move beyond its historic Labor Day telethon. It will discontinue production of a broadcast telethon effective this year.

MDA plans to invest more in digital and mobile channels for consumer engagement and activation. The organization will continue to share the inspirational stories of MDA families on Labor Day and throughout the year via digital channels as part of an emerging year-round plan to revitalize its brand, connect with donors more frequently, strengthen family support, and attract and recognize sponsors in new ways.

'The decision to end our beloved telethon was not made lightly,” said MDA President and CEO Steven M. Derks. “In the last few years, the show was adjusted to reflect changes in viewership and donor patterns, and last summer's Ice Bucket Challenge once again affirmed for us that today's families, donors and sponsors are looking to us for new, creative and organic ways to support our mission.' "

Celebrities including Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Michael Jackson to Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez have performed on the telethon, first hosted by Lewis and Dean Martin in 1956. It moved to Labor Day in 1966.

The telethon ran 21½ in 2010, Lewis' last year as host, and had dwindled to a two-hour show the last two years.