Jailbirds locked up for MDA fundraiser
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When she went before the judge and said she had raised over $1,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, she was not only sent on her way – she left with prizes.
“I have generous customers,” said Neal, who operates Shear Magic Beauty Salon in the Lucky community. “All of this money came from them.”
Neal raised $1,014 to be exact for the annual MDA Lockup held yesterday at Ryan’s. The fundraising earned her a free DVD player, T-shirt and key ring.
“I had two different people give me $100,” said Neal. “Several gave $50, $20 and anywhere in between.”
Last year, Warren County’s MDA Lockup generated over $23,000 to help local children attend summer camp, receive medical assistance with wheelchairs and leg braces, and benefit research aimed at eliminating Muscular Dystrophy. This year organizers hoped to raise $30,000.
Rita Ramsey, the branch manager at Union Planters inside Wal-Mart, said a well-placed jar was her best means of raising money.
“I just put a collection jar out there and people came and gave me a dollar here and a dollar there,” said Ramsey, who earned about $500 before she was “arrested” and brought to Ryan’s to serve her time. After making several phone calls over the course of a half hour, Ramsey gathered an additional $250 in pledges.
Southern Standard advertising secretary Brinda Buckner, Cato’s manager Willie Brown and O’Reilly Auto Parts manager D.K. Ivey were among other local workers brought to the MDA Lockup Tuesday morning. Buckner thought about resisting arrest when public safety officer Norman Elrod came to the Standard to pick her up, but decided to go peacefully.
“My friend Tammy Young turned my name in and I figured it was for a good cause so I might as well help out,” said Buckner, who also couldn’t resist getting in a friendly jab. “Of course I have to mention that Tammy backed out.”