Pharmacist or jailbird? Stewart seeking bail money
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That was the cry heard from “prisoners” Thursday at the Muscular Dystrophy Association Lockup held at Willmore Ford. The event set a record for the Warren County chapter of MDA, raising $31,000 for the charity.
Selected Warren County residents, usually referrals from previous offenders, are picked up, hauled into the makeshift jail and are then required to man the phones to raise a $1,000 bail to win their freedom. The “offenders” have up to a month to raise the money by obtaining $25 pledges from friends and acquaintances.
“This is the fifth year we’ve done this here in Warren County,” said MDA District Director Shelley Overstreet. “We have a great facility to have it here at Willmore Ford. It’s very nice.”
The money raised is used for research, clinics, summer camps, and various other programs sponsored by MDA.
Among the offenders was Nestor Stewart of Stewart Plaza Pharmacy.
When asked how he felt about his arrest Stewart said, “Well, it’s sort of fun. The employees really got a kick out of it. They said they’re going to keep me in here, they weren’t going to give me a penny. I’m going to call them up and see.”
It was all in fun and for a good cause so the offenders took it in a good-natured manner and prepared to work to make their bail after posing for a mugshot in the requisite prisoner’s stripes. And considering the record amount of money raised, they did so quite successfully.
“The MDA would like to thank Warren County for its participation and support.” said Overstreet. “It was a great day for everyone.”