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Jail and Bail raises funds for March of Dimes
Smokey Mountain Pizza played host to the March of Dimes "first class" mock jailhouse, last Wednesday.
The event raised money by having local volunteers play the role of the inmates. The inmates would call their friends to gain contributions to help raise their bail. The bail money went to the March of Dimes.
The list of jailbirds included Ray Henning (manager at Paul's Market), Mike Buckner (manager at Wal-Mart), Bob Cooper (AAFES general manager) and Mitch Prouty (owner of The Carpet Shop).
For the event, representatives from the Mountain Home Police Department and Citizens on Patrol served as the arresting officers and provided transportation for several of the inmates, while the rest drove in their own vehicles.
When a jailbird was brought to the mock jail, they had their mug shot taken and were fed "gourmet bread and water" (pizza and soda). Following the picture, the inmates were given a raffle ticket for door prizes that included March of Dimes mugs and caps.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., each inmate was asked to raise at least $1,000 during their 30-minute jail time. If an inmate raised $1,000 or more they would be awarded with a crystal paperweight that read "March of Dimes: Jail and Bail."
At the end of the day, 31 volunteers raised a total of $6,700 for the March of Dimes, an increase from last year's total of $5,600.
"It was a great turnout. We appreciate the MHPD for picking people up. I'm really happy for the money that was raised, even in a tough economy, it's nice to see so many people come out and support our cause," said Andrew Healy, community director for March of Dimes, (state office located in Boise).
March of Dimes is a health charity whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.
It was founded in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to defeat the epidemic disease poliomyelitis (polio), of which he, himself, was a victim.
The March of Dimes is a unique partnership of scientists, clinicians, parents, members of the business community, and other volunteers affiliated with 52 chapters in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.