It started 31 years ago as a group of perhaps a dozen or so people manning phones at the Manteca Civic Center to ask people to donate to help support the Boys & Girls Club.
That first year they raised $1,200.
After that it expanded into a full-scale telethon complete with phone banks, auctions, and entertainment over two days on Comcast Channel 97 with the effort raising well over $110,000 each year
It has not only evolved into the club’s marquee fundraiser but it also has created a major showcase for local talent.
The telethon returns for its 31st edition Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 4:30 to 11 p.m.
You can drop by the club at 545 E. Alameda St. and enjoy the entertainment live or you can turn on Comcast Cable Channel 97.
The entertainment line-up was coordinated this year by Joann Tilton.
Monday’s line-up includes:
•5 p.m. Vocalist Taylor Cantrell
•5:15 p.m. Manteca Idol Top 5 & Junior Idol Top 5
•6 p.m. Manteca Idol Top 5 & Junior Idol Top 5
•6:30 p.m. GK Music presents Zephyr
•7 p.m. GK Music presents Verschiden
•7:30 p.m. Dance Stars
Tuesday’s line-up includes:
•4:30 p.m. Sierra High jazz band
•5 p.m. Vocalist Cheyenne Mulligan
•5:30 p.m. Son Dance Christian Dance
•6 p.m. Taberna Karate
•6:30 p.m. Art of Dance
•7 p.m. Manteca Idol & Junior idol/Outgoing Idol
•7:30 p.m. Manteca Idol & Junior Idol/Outgoing Idol
•8:25 p.m. Vocalist Jordon Renfroe
•8:30 p.m. GK Music presents Neon Ink
•9 p.m. GK Music presents Brianne & Shawn plus GK Music presents Ben Tolman.
