Essex Educators, Businessmen Sent to 'Jail' for a Good Cause

 Ruby Tuesday's in Essex looked more like a police precinct on Wednesday as "jailbirds" were processed and bail was set before being released.

The restaurant wasn't home to a crime scene, but rather the Muscular Dystrophy Association “Lock-Up,” an annual fundraiser for the non-profit.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., MDA staff, along with Baltimore County Sheriff’s Deputies Leon Dixon and Sue Thompson, escorted the jailbirds to Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant, where they were treated to delicious bread and water (as well as a few other tasty lunch options).

The culprits then hit the phones to contact family, friends and business associates in an effort to raise enough money to make bail before they were returned to their homes or workplaces. The money raised was donated to the MDA.

Among the prisoners were several local principals: Chesapeake High's Maria Lowery, Essex Elementary's Amy Grabner and Sussex Elementary's Tom Bowser. Talmudical Academy social studies teacher Paul Blitz, Rick Roberts from PatRICK’s Bar and Grill and Paul Rufe from Lighthouse Café also joined them.

MDA Staff and the sheriff’s deputies continued to escort more volunteers to "processing."  Victory Villa Senior Center asked Betty Homsey to represent it, and Betty did her best to recruit donations to make her bail, challenging other area senior centers to come to her rescue. 

James Collison  of Collison’s Body Shop, joined the effort because it was a good cause.  He admits his brother had a lot to do with his arrest.  Dr. Kay O’Hara, of Eastern Chiropractic, uses her daily practice to help patients relieve pain. Last Wednesday, she was asking them for "relief" (bail money) to assist Jerry’s Kids with funds that help relieve their daily challenges.

Christina Michaels of Michaels Concrete Pumping, and Arnold Patterson of TANK Sales Center, were two more willing participants who gave their time to raise much-needed funds to assist MDA in sending more kids to summer camp.

 Stanley Beers of Beers Tax and Accounting Service; Jeff Atwell of Cavanaugh Press; and Rosalie Adams of Trends USA Inc. were also eager participants.

A few local folks dropped by to show their support and to give their donations to the jailbirds.  Some just wanted to ensure they had been arrested and were doing their time.

MDA’s annual “Lock-Up” generates funds used for direct patient treatment services as well as things like summer camp that would not otherwise be available for these children with special needs. The day’s volunteers met and talked with MDA spokesman Dustin Colgin, a 17-year old high school student who has enjoyed summer camp for about seven years through the MDA's assistance.

The MDA website will remain open for the next 30 days, and donations will continued to be accepted during this time. For more info, visit  www.joinmda.org/essex2011/mdanto.