AVALON, CATALINA ISLAND - The Catalina Island Museum broadcast their 8th annual Telethon on Thursday, November 12 to the local community on Catalina Cable TV's Channel 3 and to the world via a live stream on eCatalina.com.  Over 900 people watched on-line from all over the country and in 14 other countries!  So, the entire world was treated to fun local entertainment and fascinating insights into Catalina history.

Over $42,000 was raised to support the museum and its many programs that night.  Not calculated in that total was a surprise donation of $100,000 from the Society for the Advancement of Plein Air Painting towards an art gallery in the new museum facility.  This donation joins the $150,000 that the group has donated towards that effort in prior years.

"We are so grateful to all of our volunteers, Catalina Cable TV and eCatalina.com for making the Telethon possible. And we are also so appreciative of our donors.  In this economy, to raise $42,000 at a single event is a great accomplishment," said museum executive director Stacey Otte.

Highlights from the evening include Avalon Schools 2nd grade charming the audience with several songs; a spontaneous jam session by musicians Dave Markowitz, Sean McAleavy and Butch; the surprise check presentation by SAPAP; and a tour of the 85-year old Catalina Island Yacht Club.  

While the event was a great success, there are two matching pledges that were not fully achieved and the donors of those pledges have extended the challenge in hopes of getting more donations for the museum.  The Offield Family Pledge of $5,000 was fully achieved , the Santa Catalina Island Co. pledged up to $4,600 and $3,100 was raised leaving $1,500 left to go.  The Schreiner Family pledged a total of $30,000 in matching funds and there is still $17,000 left to go.  Donations should be marked "telethon" and can be mailed to the museum at PO Box 366, Avalon, CA  90704 or done on-line via their secure website.  It is also possible to call in a credit card to 310-510-4650.  All donations are tax deductible and support the Museum's efforts to preserve island history.