MDA Raises Thousands In Executive Lock-Up

CORAL GABLES (CBS4) - The Muscular Dystrophy Association raised $35,000 dollars Wednesday during the Coral Gables Executive Lock-Up held at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Coral Gables.

"Any opportunity that I have to give back to people in the local community I'm happy to do that," said Brain Rokaw, who is an attorney in Coral Gables.

The Coral Gables Executive Lock -Up is an annual event where local businesses and leaders are go behind bars for MDA to benefit local children and adults living with neuromuscular diseases.

Altogether 120 volunteers had the opportunity to raise donations as bail, dine and have a good time. The jailbirds were from various industries including local government, the medical and legal communities and many more.

"Even if it's going to camp, getting them a flu shot, getting them sized for a wheel chair or sending them a therapist once a week," said Mabel Alamina, who spent the afternoon raising money for MDA. "It really does make a difference."

Each volunteer committed to raise $3,500 dollars. That money will send four children to MDA summer camp for an entire week.

"I believe strongly that if this didn't exist for the kids they would not be able to go to camp because it's very specialized for them, " said Alamina.

The jailbirds not only dialed for dollars; they also used email, text messages, and social networking to get the word out.

"I'm fairly competitive, I want to beat all the other jailbirds," said Rokaw. "I feel like I'm well on my way, I got here at 8:55 this morning, so I got a head start on many of the people here."

The money raised will also help fund research and provide services to local MDA families living in Miami-Dade County.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 43 neuromuscular diseases through worldwide research, comprehensive services and professional and public health education.