Local East Rutherford Business Leaders Get "Locked Up" to Fight Muscular Dystrophy

Maywood, N.J., June 28, 2010 – Across the country, thousands of law abiding citizens are going “behind bars for good” to help MDA on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Park & Orchard Restaurant at 240 Hackensack St. in East Rutherford, N.J. Local business owners of East Rutherford, Rutherford, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, Carlstadt, and Teterboro, N.J. are once again helping out the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) by participating in MDA’s annual Lock Up program.

Here and throughout the country, thousands of “jailbirds” will get locked up and try to post bail by raising money through their colleagues, friends, and family. The Lock Up program is MDA’s number one fundraising program getting local business leaders involved.

MDA’s Lock Up program directly helps local families affected by diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The money “jailbirds” raise helps to support MDA’s worldwide research programs, as well as MDA’s national network of 225 hospital-affiliated clinics, including the clinic at UMDNJ. “Jailbirds” bail money also helps send children with muscular dystrophy in Northern New Jersey to barrier-free MDA summer camp at Visions Vacation Camp in Spring Valley, N.Y.

Last year, the Lock Up in East Rutherford raised over $30,000, joining other cities around the country in supporting the popular annual tradition. This year, the goal has been increased to $60,000!

“Being thrown in jail for having a big heart always brings out the finest qualities in the people of East Rutherford,” said Kimberly Schleyer, MDA Maywood Executive Director, “Our local business leaders that participate in the program show they genuinely care about children and adults in our community who live with muscular dystrophy.”

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

To learn more about the East Rutherford Lock Up and other MDA programs, contact your local MDA Executive Director, Kim Schleyer at (201) 843-4452.