Linda Abeldt is a true believer in the Manteca-Lathrop Boys & Girls Club.

She’s been an active board member for nearly 20 years and devotes countless hours to raising funds for the program that helps keep 1,500 kids off the streets.

Abeldt is part of an effort on Nov 21-22 involving more than 300 people who are trying to raise $125,000 during the 31st annual telethon to help support programs. The club has been challenged not just by an economy but also a sharp increase in kids accessing programs. Attendance numbers are up by more than 10 percent as more kids turn to the club for help.

Abeldt is hoping that community members who may have frequent flier miles or even time shares they could donate to be put up for bid during the auction portion of the telethon.

Abeldt said such items tend to draw a lot of interest among bidders.

The telethon consists of four components: volunteers manning phones to call individuals and businesses for pledges, entertainment, a live auction, and a silent auction. The club will also test some exclusive on-line bid items this year.

The entertainment consists of local groups ranging from singers and bands to dance groups. The telethon is carried live on Comcast Cable TV Channel 98 on Monday, Nov. 21, from 5 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 5 to 10 p.m. It also will have a live stream via the Internet at www.mantecatelethon.com

Manteca Fire Chief Kirk Waters - who credits the Boys Club of San Mateo for keeping him on the right path growing up - is also a believer. Not only does he reserve on the board but he is also helping coordinate the phone banks this year along with Abeldt. If you’d like to help with the pledge phones contact Waters at 456-8300.

The club has been forced to reduce spending due to the economy while the demand has increased due to families being financially distressed. Executive Director Charlie Halford has been accepting less than half his salary for several years in a bid to keep staffing levels that serve kids directly as high as possible. The club still has had to trim back. Even with reduced manpower, the club is working on ways to steer kids into making the right choices as well as provide things for them to do in a safe environment.

For those who wish to help secure auction items or help with other aspects of the telethon contact the Boys & Girls Club at 239-KIDS.