Muscular Dystrophy Executive Lock-Up raised $75,000

This year's annual Muscular Dystrophy Executive Lock-Up fund-raiser collected $75,000 for the MDA Telethon.

Local businessman Tom Kiefner of Kiefner Brothers Inc., who has participated in the MDA event for three years, increased his fund-raising efforts from a little under $5,000 to a record-breaking $12,000 this year.

Bail was set at $2,600 for the business and civic leaders in Cape County who chose to help "Jerry's Kids."

The money raised was the result of the efforts of 160 participants who agreed to wear "stripes" and have their photos taken in a mock-up jail while they served time. By means of phone calls to friends, relatives and business associates, the inmates solicited contributions to help them raise the $2,600 that sprung them from jail.

Kiefner really didn't have to serve time as a "most wanted" citizen sentenced for "having a big heart" because he'd raised the $12,000 prior to the event through a mass mailing to general contractors and a few generous friends who insisted on being included in the event.

"I review the list of all those who helped the year prior and scour our projects for new contracts. I asked for a suggested donation of $100 in the letter I sent out, and in some I included a personal note. Anyone who donates I follow up with a personal thank-you note," he said.

This year the venue was changed from Auffenberg Chrysler to the University Center Ballroom; a new jail was built by a carpenter employed by Kiefner.

This year seven of the 160 participants met their bail, and 153 "jailbirds" raised between $50 and $2,000 each.

Proceeds from the fund-raiser will fund MDA's patient services programs at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133