Annual Rehab Telethon plans 11 hours of fun on Saturday

News Journal staff report

MANSFIELD -- Singers, dan-cers and drummers will be among the entertainers at the 16th annual Rehab Telethon from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. WMFD-TV will broadcast the event live from the Center Court at Richland Mall. All proceeds will benefit The Rehab Center, a non-profit comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation center serving children and adults in north central Ohio.

In addition to the performances, the 2008 Rehab Telethon will feature local celebrities, VIP hosts, community guests and success stories of clients who have benefited from The Rehab Center's services. Activities and events throughout the mall will include face painting, a magician, dancers, storytelling, birds and a petting zoo. Volunteers from local businesses, service clubs and organizations will answer phones for the telethon.

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Created in 1954, The Rehab Center continues to respond to the needs in the community with the vision that all people have the desire and right to live in dignity and to be responsible for their own welfare and destiny.

The agency provides services through its four divisions: medical rehabilitation; behavioral health; drug and alcohol treatment (New Beginnings); and vocational rehabilitation (Progress Industries). Each year The Rehab Center serves nearly 4,000 people. The Rehab Center offers a sliding-fee schedule for patients who have a limited ability to pay. Most services are covered by private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.