The southeast Minnesota division of the March of Dimes knows how important it is to capture an audience.

That’s why it will host the annual March of Dimes Jail and Bail fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at Torge’s Live.

Starting at 10 a.m., people can stop by Torge’s and volunteer to be prisoners at a mock prison. The volunteers will choose a monetary goal to raise for March of Dimes, and they must make calls and ask for donations until that goal is reached. Once it is reached, bail is made, and a judge makes the announcement and releases the prisoners.

“We have a lot of fun,” Amy Ransom, March of Dimes community director, said.

Ransom hopes the event will raise at least $10,000.

“We just did Owatonna, and we raised $10,000,” she said.”I would love to match that.”

March of Dimes will need as many volunteers as it can get to raise that number.

“People can stay however long they want,” Ransom added.

People can simply come during their lunch hours and make a few phone calls while eating free pizza to make a difference.

Ransom has had little trouble spurring excitement for the event.

Some volunteers have already set goals and raised money in preparation through their website. When volunteers sign up online, they set up a website that lists their goals and allows visitors to donate.

Ransom said people have found creative ways to advertise their website through Facebook and other social networks.

“People have a lot of fun with it,” she said.

Some people even get a bit competitive trying to match each other’s goals.

“One person feeds off another,” Ransom said.”One person says, ‘I’ve hit the $500 mark,’ then other people say ‘Well if they can do it, I can do it.’”

All proceeds from the event go to the March of Dimes Southeast Minnesota Division and will benefit programs to sponsor research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs, like a push for a regionalized system of newborn intensive care units.

One infant in particular, Jaxson Mattick, benefitted tremendously from this system when he spent two weeks in the NICU suffering with jaundice and breathing problems. He will turn 1 later this month and will be at the event.

Volunteers can either sign up online at jailandbail.marchofdimes.com or at Torge’s the day of the event.

“If you’ve got an hour to spend some time, come on out to Torge’s and have some lunch and help support an important cause,” Ransom said. “Babies are our future.”

For more information, call 507-282-0649.