Locked up ‘for good’
WAYNESBURG — Waynesburg Dairy Queen owner Barry Kovell found himself locked up on Wednesday, Nov. 16, and he was only released after his bail was paid.
His charges: Thoughtfulness and generosity.
Locked up ‘for good’ – that is, for a good cause – Kovell was one of the 80 to 90 local business owners and residents who participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s bi-annual lock-up.
Representatives from Wal-Mart, Burger King, Central Greene School District, Cedar Ridge Apartments, American Legion, and many others collectively helped raise over $40,000 for families and children living with a neuromuscular disease.
When Kovell received a phone call from an MDA “warden” asking if he would participate in the lock-up, he said, “Absolutely. It is a worthwhile cause and anything I can do to help these kids I will do it,” he said. “It is something my wife and I feel that we would like to do to help kids and their families.”
Immediately starting his fund raising, Kovell used MDA resources to promote the event. MDA only asked participants to have fun while raising their bail. Kovell said he was encouraged to rally support from his family, friends, business associates and the community.
“It is an easy way to help out in the community,” said Cathy Majka, MDA executive director. “We only ask them for an hour of their time. And we are not asking for their money specifically. It is a great marketing opportunity, and it is also an opportunity for them to work with other business leaders in the community.”
Once locked up at Tom and Amy’s Family Restaurant in Waynesburg, the MDA “jailbirds” had their mug shots taken, ate lunch and made phone calls to follow up on any “bail,” or funds that they raise.
At 3 p.m., after about an hour, participants turned in their bail money and were released. Each participant’s bail was set at $3,000, although not everybody met that goal.
“They set it high like that to try to get more donations, but [my wife and I] are probably going to match the funds we raise,” Kovell said. “The money is used for a lot of different reasons. There are even some kids that get to go to camp.”
The MDA hopes to send at least 60 children with a neuromuscular disease to camp next year, a week-long session at Camp Kon-O-Kwee near Zelienople, Pa. “They get to do so many different things, such as fishing and horseback riding,” Majka said. “They love the pool and swimming. They have arts and crafts, a talent show, a dance and campfires every night. It is the one week out of the year that they get to overcome all boundaries and really have fun.”
The MDA funds ongoing research at the University of Pittsburgh, and some of the money raised will help with the research. The bail money will also provide these children and their families with support group sessions, clinic visits and repairs for durable medical equipment.
“I think it was a great community event,” Majka said. “The people of the Waynesburg community seem very interested in helping out and being part of the cause.”