Special to the Journal

TALLAHASSEE, FL  — The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), along with 85 jailbirds from the Albany business community, had a successful Albany Lock Up that raised over $71,000 on February 27^th at Merry Acres.

The community members serving as jailbirds were apprehended between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and were taken to MDA’s maximum appreciation jail at Merry Acres. Once the jailbirds were booked and received their sentences, they were encouraged to call their friends, families and business associates to raise their individual bails. The following community leaders raised their bail of $3,200 and more for MDA:  Hugh Nall, President of Southern AG raised $3,799 being our top bailraiser, Buddy Poore, Owner of Georgia Foam Solutions Inc. raised $3,720, Keith Miller, CFO of Oxford Construction raised $3,665, Ronnie Poole, Owner of Skyline Equipment raised $3,600, Marci Langley, Realtor for Walden Kirkland Realtors raised $3,475, and James King, Manager of Hope Depot raised $3,243.

Albany community members have been participating in “Lock-Up” events for more than ten years. Funds raised by the “Lock-Up” give MDA, a voluntary health agency, the means to continue providing direct services, research, and professional and public health education to children and adults with neuromuscular diseases in Southwest Georgia.

Sponsors for the event included Merry Acres, Winn Dixie, The Cakery,  Albany State University Police, Autoland, Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, Albany Honda, Albany Police Department, Locos Grill and Pub, Outback Steakhouse, Terry Lee’s Olde World Sandwich Shoppe, Photography by Design Diana Glover, Buffalo Wild Wings, Firehouse Subs, Carmike Cinemas, Albany Theatre, Sonny’s, Elements Coffee Co., Moe’s Southwestern Grill, Petal Pushers Flower Shop, Cracker Barrel, and All American Fun Park.

MDA medical services are available in the area at Shands in Gainesville and Mayo clinic in Jacksonville, FL for those who are diagnosed with any of the 43 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA. MDA also provides a fun-filled summer camp in Dowling Park in Madison, FL for individuals, ages 6 to 17, with muscular dystrophy. This year camp will be June 9-15.

For more information about “Lock-Up” events or MDA, please contact Crystal Ralys at the Tallahassee District office at (850) 681-6763, or visit the Web site at www.mda.org.