GREEN BUSINESS COMMUNITY HELPS ‘JERRY’S KIDS’ BEAT THE ODDS

NOTE TO EDITORS: The media is welcome to cover every

NOTE TO EDITORS: The media is welcome to cover every
aspect of the event. Please contact MDA for more information
or to arrange interviews with participants and MDA clients.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Event Contact
Alexis Lux
District Director
(330) 374-0074
alux@mdausa.org

Media Contact
Crista Spehar
Regional Public Affairs Coordinator
(440) 816-0916
cspehar@mdausa.org

GREEN BUSINESS COMMUNITY
HELPS ‘JERRY’S KIDS’ BEAT THE ODDS

GREEN, OHIO, July 19, 2006 – As executive criminals within the city of Green multiply, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is moving in, issuing warrants, and “Locking Up” many of Green’s finest business community members. New to the city of Green this year, the MDA “Lock Up” program is arresting Green’s business leaders and charging them with having a big heart and being heavily armed with kindness. As members of the area’s “Most Wanted”, these jailbirds are going to be “Locked Up” to benefit the Eastern Ohio chapter of MDA. Their sentence is to serve time at MDA’s maximum appreciation jail site on Thurs. July 27.

The MDA is expecting more than 180 jailbirds to be brought in, and put behind bars at MDA’s maximum appreciation site, the Hampton Inn.
MDA’s jailbirds are each encouraged to raise $1,200 bail in order to be released for good behavior. This bail amount will send local children with neuromuscular diseases to MDA’s Summer Camp at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, OH.

“’Jerry’s Kids’ look forward to this week at camp throughout the entire year,” said Alexis Lux, MDA District Director. “It is the one week of the year that these kids really fit in and are able to participate in activities, such as swimming and horseback riding because of the lifts and special equipment on site.”

MDA is providing jailbirds with the opportunity to register online to help them raise their bail. By contacting Alexis Lux at alux@mdausa.org, jailbirds can learn how to customize their own web page with a photo and then e-mail a link to friends, family and co-workers who will be able to make a secure donation on-line.

Upon arrival, jailbirds will be “booked” including having a “mug shot” taken as a souvenir to share with the rest of their office. Incentives for bail raisers include a Texas Holdem Card Set, key chains, t-shirts, plaques with artwork by MDA summer campers, and invitations to appear on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon seen locally on WBNX-TV Home of the New CW Network.

Jailbirds will roll the dice and “Help ‘Jerry’s kids’ Beat the Odds” during the Lock Up. A poker theme complete with Texas Holdem Cards will be décor to brighten up the birds jailsite.

Proceeds from the Lock Up will not only fund MDA’s Summer Camp, but will benefit families in the Green area in many ways. MDA provides assistance with the purchases of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices for patients and offers local support groups. MDA also funds medical clinics at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown and Metro Health in Cleveland.

MDA is a voluntary health agency providing hope and help for individuals affected by neuromuscular diseases. The Association funds a comprehensive program of services,
professional and public health education, and worldwide research. MDA receives no government
or United Way funding. Programs are funded entirely by private, individual contributions.

For more information about Green’s Lock Up, please contact Alexis Lux at
(330) 374-0074 or alux@mdausa.org.
-MDA-