Law Abiding Citizens Go Behind Bars for Good in Northern Colorado

Over 350 community leaders and business owners from northern Colorado have volunteered to be "locked up" to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). These "jailbirds" will be soliciting donations prior to their jail-time and making calls from the jailhouse to raise the remainder of their bail.

Firefighters from Poudre Fire Authority, long time supporters of MDA, will act as arresting officers seizing jailbirds and escorting them to Rodizio Grill in old town where they will be booked, photographed, and detained for one hour between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12. Their charge: having a big heart. Their bail: $2,000 in donations to support MDA's programs. Following their jail-time, jailbirds will be released with a clean record and MDA's sincerest appreciation for raising funds to help those affected by muscle-wasting diseases in their communities.

Local Goodwill Ambassador, Janine Alfred, will be on-site thanking jailbirds for their dedication to this cause which makes a difference in so many lives, including her own. Janine has muscular dystrophy and has attended MDA Summer Camp for two years thanks to the generous support of community donations.

MDA's Telethon Executive Lock-Up (TELU) is a community-wide program that combines outreach from MDA staff with support from community members who willingly "turn in" their associates and friends. During the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, interviews with all bail-raisers are aired and highest fundraisers aer given the opportunity to present a check on the live, nationally-televised event.

TELUs raise over $6 million annually for MDA with 65 district offices holding an event around the country. Based on projections, MDA is counting on an increase of $1.5 million in total donations to continue to allow them to provide free programs and services to their clients. The 2010 goal for the Fort Collins TELU is over $100,000.

This program helps over 1,800 families in Colorado served by MDA. Funds raised will help MDA provide a comprehensive program of services, including muscle clinics at University Hospital and Children's Hospital, free summer camp for kids ages six to 17, a loan closet with durable medical equipment, and nearly $1 million in local funding for neuromuscular disease research.

Top Fundraisers for the Fort Collins Telethon Executive Lock-Up are:

• Darcy Thor, Harmony Surgery Center, $2,110
• Bill Ward, Ward Petroleum, $1,970
• Sarah Belleau, Poudre School District, $1,700