Going to Jail for a good cause

Time to go to jail ... for a good cause
Published: Monday, April 12, 2010

No comments posted. | Email to a friend | Print version | ShareThis| RSS Feeds

More Photos
Click thumbnails to enlarge





BREAUX


BY TONY Di DOMIZIO



Click to enlarge


HARRIS

Staff Writer

A private investigator and a newspaper editor are among those getting locked up for doing good.

Michele Harris may never know who anonymously nominated her to be "locked up" for a Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser April 14, but she can't complain about helping raise money for those who need it.

"I've asked everybody I thought it could have been. I originally thought it was the Chamber of Commerce, and it wasn't my husband and it wasn't my parents. I don't think I'll ever know," said Harris, who co-owns Harris Investigations LLC on Broad Street in Lansdale.

Reporter Executive Editor Nona Breaux was also nominated anonymously to get locked up for MDA.

"I was surprised to be asked to represent The Reporter as a jailbird, but happy to participate. I just wish I was a better fundraiser, because I hate to think that I might be letting the group down," she said.

In the national MDA Lockup, local business and community leaders agree to be "arrested" for having a "big heart."

They get donations from sponsors ahead of time, but, if individuals don't raise the $3,000 goal, they spend the hourlong lockup making calls for donations.

This year's lockup locally will occur at Cravings Cafe in Lansdale. Participants actually get picked up at their workplace and taken to "jail."

"My understanding is as long as you haven't made the quota, you keep making calls and donate," Harris said. "You can eat and mingle for the hour you will be there if made quota."

Donations have been slow, Harris said.

"I have mass-marketed and mass-e-mailed," she said. "I provide a link and I e-mailed all clients and contacts. I probably sent it out to 200 people, and I put it out on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter."

This will be Harris' first time taking part in the lockup, but she has worked phones in the local MDA telethons in the past, including at Channel 6 studios and at the Civic Center.

Breaux is anxious to see what happens April 14 when people come to haul her off to Cravings Cafe.

"Really, the whole program is designed to raise money for Jerry's Kids, and I know the day will be devoted to helping this group to further their efforts into research and other programs," she said.

She said MDA is a really great cause: it puts funds and effort into researching the disease, it provides treatment and support groups and sends youth to camp where they can just be kids.

Breaux is hoping the community will support the cause and bail her out.

"And, of course, I'm still taking donations," she said.

Comments