On Aug. 28, 90 local business people and community leaders will be arrested, pending a $1,000 bail.

The jail's location? Applebee's. The bail money? A fund-raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

These Austin residents will be taken to Applebee's starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 28 and call their friends and family to raise $1,000 to get out of "jail." Last year Austin "jailbirds" raised $10,000 to help people with muscular dystrophy.

The Lock Up fund-raiser happens annually and benefits area people who are suffering from muscular dystrophy, said Karen Oldemeyer, MDA program coordinator. There are six to 10 families in this area who need assistance with wheelchair purchases, flu shots and clinic visits. The money also goes toward helping children with muscular dystrophy attend camp.

For this event, the people who are "arrested" are notified that someone "turned them in" and that they will be picked up in a limo and taken to Applebee's. They have to stay there until they can raise $1,000.

"People have a lot of fun calling their mom and saying, 'Oh mom, I'm in jail,'" Oldemeyer said.

Jack Butler, owner of Little Professor Bookstore, was called by MDA and told he would be part of the Lock Up.

"I didn't have a choice," Butler said, with a chuckle. MDA gets the names of those "arrested" from friends, family members or coworkers who volunteer their name to the MDA.

Butler was supposed to participate last year, but was out of town the day of the Lock Up.

Participants can begin raising the money before the 28th and they do not have to raise the whole $1,000.

"It's easier to start beforehand, but some people like a challenge," Oldemeyer said.

Butler has not started raising money and will probably wait until next Wednesday, he said. He said he is "mildly excited" about the fund-raiser.

Every donation helps, according to MDA. About $25 can purchases a flu shot for a child, $100 covers a support group session and $2,000 helps a person purchase a wheelchair. The money raised will stay in southeastern Minnesota to help those in this area with muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophy is a disease which makes muscle fibers more susceptible to injury, according to the Mayo Clinic. Voluntary muscles become weaker as the diseases progresses. The disease is heredity and there are nine main forms of the disease.

Anyone who is not already signed up can still participate by going to Applebee's between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 28.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com