Camp for Caleb with CMT

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http://www.journal-news.net/news/articles.asp?articleID=9117

(photo at link)

Community members head to jail to send kids to camp

By NAOMI SMOOT / Journal Staff Writer

MARTINSBURG — The executive director of the Berkeley County Public

Service Water District is headed to jail — for charity.

Fisher is one of about 100 residents who are participating in

the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2007 lockup in sburg. The

annual fundraiser helps pay for research, and it helps send children

to camp.

" I think it's just a fun MDA program. It's a fun way for executives

to get involved, " said Jill Steuter, program coordinator for the

agency.

Participants include employees at QuadGraphics, Steptoe &

PLLC, 's Appraisers, Dan Builders and a host of others,

she said.

On May 17, they will be " arrested " by volunteers, and then " go

behind bars and serve time, " Steuter said. They will be taken in to

custody at approximately 11 a.m., and sent to Outback Steakhouse,

where they will be provided with " bread and water, " before being

released an hour later.

Bond on each individual has been set at $3,000, Steuter said.

Fisher has been working to raise his bail by sending out e-mails to

his friends and colleagues, requesting donations. Already, he is

more than halfway to his goal of raising $3,000, he said.

" I'm pleased with the response, " he said.

Fisher said he hopes that he will raise the full amount by next

week, but said he will be released from jail either way.

" I'm hoping those guys don't keep me all day, " he said. " I have work

to do. "

Still, Fisher said he is community minded, and functions like the

one scheduled for next week give him a way to give back. There are

other fundraisers for different organizations, he added, but the

lockup event that the MDA puts on is more exciting for participants.

" This makes it a lot more fun, " he said. Plus, he said the money

goes to a good cause.

According to a release from the MDA, a $25 contribution is enough to

pay for a flu shot. A $100 contribution can pay for one support

group session, while $600 sends a camper to MDA summer camp.

The camp is popular among young patients, including Caleb Arbaugh, a

student at Ashby Lee Elementary School in Virginia who is serving as

the Muscular Dystrophy Goodwill Ambassador for 2007. Caleb was born

with Charcot-Marie Tooth Disease, a neuromuscular disorder which has

left him with limited mobility, so he rides in a power chair.

Last summer, Arbaugh was able to go to the MDA's summer camp, he

said in a letter to lockup participants.

" I attended last year for the first time and it was the most

wonderful experience I have ever had, " he wrote. " I would have to

say I look forward to summer camp more than any other thing in my

life. I finally felt like I was `normal,' I was just like everyone

else for the first time in my life. "

MDA is an organization working to fight a host of neuromuscular

diseases, which affect more than 1 million Americans.

Anyone who would like to participate or receive more information can

call, (703) 476-5780.