Officials Off to Slammer to Raise MDA Funds

By Mark Zaretsky, New Haven Register, Conn.

Jul. 8–East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon, Branford Fire Chief John Ahern, East Haven Chief of Police Leonard Gallo, North Branford Deputy Mayor Joanne Wentworth and North Branford Fire Marshal Bert Bunnell Jr. will be among those who are “locked up” to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association in a fundraiser Thursday at La Luna Ristorante in Branford.

The “go to jail” fundraiser will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., MDA spokeswoman Heather D’Amico said.

The various locked-up officials will try to raise “bail” by calling family, friends and other would-be donors.

“Bail” for each of the town leaders and local business executives who have volunteered to head into the slammer is set at $3,250.

Last year, the Branford Executive Lock-Up raised $29,039, D’Amico said.

This year’s “jailbirds” hope to exceed last year’s donations with a goal of $30,000.

Town Fair Tire, headquartered in East Haven, has begun the fundraising by donating $1,500, D’Amico said.

Financial support given to MDA provides care and opportunities for those living with neuromuscular disease, she said.

For example, $25 can pay for an annual flu shot for one person, $85 can pay for one minute of research, and $100 can fund a support group session for those suffering.

A $200 donation covers a clinical diagnostic exam, $800 sends a child to MDA summer camp for a week, and $2,000 can help buy a wheelchair, a set of leg braces or a communication device.

MDA sponsors clinics in Connecticut at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford and the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain.

Connecticut youths can attend an MDA summer camp at Camp Hemlocks in Hebron.

MDA also funds ongoing research at Yale University and the University of Connecticut.

The research provides help and hope to Connecticut residents living with one of 43 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA, D’Amico said.

MDA is a voluntary health agency dedicated to helping more than 1 million Americans affected by neuromuscular disorders.

The association utilizes programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far reaching professional and public health education.

—–

To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com.

Copyright (c) 2008, New Haven Register, Conn.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.