La Mesa’s Challenge Center raised $200,000 at its Comedy Night Gala, Ed Burr of Edco Disposal honored

The Challenge Center, a physical therapy rehabilitation center in La Mesa, reports it recently raised more than $200,000 in donations at its 16th annual Comedy Night Gala, a fundraiser featuring a performance by comedienne and actress Vicki Lawrence. Proceeds from Comedy Night will benefit the Challenge Center’s scholarship fund that subsidizes physical therapy expenses for low-income individuals. The Challenge Center has provided skilled physical therapy rehabilitation, specialized assisted fitness training and wellness programs for physically challenged people since 1987.

The Comedy Night Gala was held Sept. 21 at the Allen Airways Flying Museum at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. The program featured recognition for Ed Burr, president/CEO and founder of Edco Disposal Corp. Burr serves as treasurer on the Challenge Center board of directors. Edco has grown into the largest, family-owned-and-operated waste collection and recycling firm in the U.S.

Betsy Boney, wife of husband Scott Boney, operators of the Windmill Farms store in Del Cerro, served as chair of the fundraiser. Betsy also serves as secretary on the Challenge Center board of directors. Honorary chairs for the evening were Julie and Tom Karlo of KPBS, and Bill and Claudia Allen of the Allen Airways Flying Museum. Emcee was Steve Atkinson, KGTV-TV co-anchor of 10News.

Lawrence is known for her co-starring role on “The Carol Burnett Show” from 1967 to 1978 as the witty and smart-aleck Thelma Harper or “Mama.” Her popular elderly character led to her own television series called “Mama’s Family” that aired from 1983 to 1990. Lawrence also currently hosts a stage show titled “Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show.”

Allen Airways Flying Museum is a privately owned museum located on Gillespie Field. Memorabilia displays include aviation artifacts from previous world wars, antique flying suits, helmets and goggles and posters from Hollywood motion pictures with aviation themes, along with four vintage aircraft and a restored car and tractor.