(Press Release)

WACO, Texas, July 28, 2008 — The Muscular Dystrophy Association has recruited Waco’s “Most Wanted” executives and community leaders to participate in the Waco Telethon Executive Lock-Up. The Lock-Up is MDA’s premiere fundraising event in which business and community leaders volunteer to go “behind bars” to raise money for MDA. These jailbirds are going to be “locked-up” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at the Elite Circle Grille.

More than 300 Waco business and community leaders, including those from Texas State Technical College, the Waco Tribune-Herald, Arrow Child Family Ministries, Baylor University, and other prominent Waco businesses, are charged with having a big heart. On the day of the Lock-Up, a volunteer “posse” will arrest the participants and escort them to the Express Employment Professionals “jail” at the Elite Circle Grille. Jailbirds will appear before MDA Lock-Up Judge Jonathan.

Thirteen-year-old Jonathan is one of Jerry’s Kids, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He has acted as the Lock-Up judge before, and loves meeting all the people who come to support MDA.

Once sentenced, participants will have their mug shot taken, and will continue to raise their $800 bail by making phone calls. The Elite Circle Grille will provide the jailbirds with lunch as they raise bail for “Jerry’s Kids.” The money they raise not only gets them out of jail, but also helps fund MDA Summer Camp, located at camps John Marc in Meridian, and Greene Family in Bruceville.

The funds raised at this event help MDA continue to provide the very best in patient care and services including clinic visits at St. Catherine’s Center at Providence, orthopedic equipment and a worldwide research effort seeking treatments and cures for the 43 neuromuscular diseases under the MDA umbrella.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to provide programs of comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education for muscle diseases. The largest fundraiser for MDA is the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to be broadcast on KWTX News 10 on September 1st. For more information on the Waco Telethon Executive Lock-Up or MDA, visit www.MDA.org or contact Hope Geer at hgeer@mdausa.org.