NAWILIWILI — Activity at the jailhouse was slow because of the constant rain Thursday during the Muscular Dystrophy Association Lock Up at Duke’s Canoe Club on Kalapaki Beach.
“This is the last MDA Lock Up for Kauai, and we are optimistic about making our $40,000 goal,” said Briana Littlefield, MDA fundraising coordinator.
“We have an amount pledged online, and the Kauai community has always been great in coming through to help our patients who suffer from muscular dystrophy and its related muscle-debilitating diseases.”
Nearly 100 participants volunteered to go behind bars as part of MDA’s fundraising program. During the event, participants were locked up for one hour as they attempted to raise bail by calling on their friends, family and colleagues to contribute to MDA’s life-saving mission.
Since 2010 the Kauai community has raised over $316,000 for kids and adults in Hawaii living with muscle disease through the MDA Lock Up program, and nearly 450 big-hearted individuals have “served time” at Duke’s.
Donna Olivas-Kaohi, director of the county Retired Senior Volunteer Program, was one of the first to be jailed, her vounteers helping keep the MDA Lock Up moving smoothly.
“RSVP volunteers have been helping with the MDA Lock Up for a long time, and I’m doing my part.”
Proceeds from the MDA Lock Up and other fundraising events such as the Fill The Boot hosted by fire departments during the Labor Day weekend go toward helping people suffering from MD, ALS and other related diseases.
Jaime Arreola, manager for Duke’s Canoe Club, Kauai, was busy setting up the free lunch for the jailbirds, a tradition started by the restaurant from the early days of the MDA Lock Up when the event was held at Kukui Grove Center.
“We’re not done, yet,” Arreola said. “We’ll see you next at the Multiple Sclerosis Walk, March 31.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
