UCP Shoals to host annual telethon fundraiser March 10
The annual United Cerebral Palsy Shoals telethon will return March 10, but this year the group is trying out a new format.
The telethon began in 1964 and was broadcast on local television. However, the local station was recently bought out, and UCP Shoals was no longer given the time for free.
So, Executive Director Alison Isbell and her team have decided to instead broadcast the 62nd annual UCP Shoals Telethon live on its Facebook page UCP WeeCare Tuesday, March 10, from 6-8 p.m.
“All of the money raised that evening will stay here in The Shoals to serve local children and their families,” Isbell said. “So many people watch streaming services now, so we decided to try something a little different.”
Isbell said the telethon broadcast was moved from a local station to Florence High School, which has a full production studio.
She said the students there produce the entire event, from filming and sound to even emceeing.
“It’s a great partnership, and we are so very thankful for their help,” Isbell said.
Isbell said telethons over the past few years have raised around $100,000 each, but 2025 was one of the best in recent memory with $127,000 pledged.
“We had a really good year. It was awesome,” she said. “That’s the most we’ve raised in several years, and we were thrilled.”
According to the UCP Shoals website, the nonprofit has been serving children and adults with disabilities in northwest Alabama for over many years.
“Our mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. We serve all of Northwest Alabama including Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin, Marion, Winston, and Lawrence counties.”
“United Cerebral Palsy’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for
individuals with disabilities by minimizing the effects of cerebral palsy
and 150 similar physical disabilities. Through direct services, community education and advocacy, UCP helps individuals reach their full potential and families to adjust to the special needs of their children.
“Our New UCP Center at 507 North Hook Street in Tuscumbia provides physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as educational and social services, to children and families in several counties in Northwest Alabama.”
Isbell said UCP Shoals helps special needs children aged 0 to 3 with physical, occupational and speech therapy.
“Any child behind in development, we can help them at no cost to families,” she said. “We work with 75 to 100 different families on average each year, and we wouldn’t be able to continue our services without the telethon.”
