ain't too proud to beg...

I’m going to jail and I need your help.
OK, before you all start gasping in horror and wondering what heinous deed I committed, let me explain.
Recently I was asked to represent The Reporter at the MDA Lockup, a fundraising program for Jerry’s Kids — you know, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which is working to fight 43 different neuromuscular diseases.
So this Wednesday, local “jailbirds” who are participating will be rounded up at a designated time and hauled off to “jail.” In our case, that actually means we go to Cravings Cafe in Lansdale, where we try to raise more funds.
The really good fundraisers will have met their $3,000 goal before Wednesday, I’m sure, and will be able to enjoy some refreshments and chat with the others in the local program.
Um, I don’t fall into that category.
When I was asked to participate, no one mentioned exactly how much money your goal would be.
I have to admit, I was a little taken aback by the $3,000 figure when I was sent the full information.
But I was optimistic, sent out a lot of e-mails, bugged other people and hoped for the best.
Now, suddenly, Wednesday is looming. And I have a long way to go to reach my goal.
A long way...
OK, I have discovered that fundraising is not my calling, but I really want to help out the MDA.
So if anyone out there is interested in donating just a little bit to this good cause, it’s really very easy.
Just put this into the address bar of your Internet browser —
www.joinmda.org/lansdalelockup2010/nbreaux/ — and you’ll be taken to my “jailbird” page, where you can make a donation online.
And please be sure to watch the video — trust me, it’s worth it.
Or, if you would consider donating by check, you could make it out to MDA and mail it to me at The Reporter, 307 Derstine Avenue, Lansdale 19446. If you have questions, you can e-mail me at nbreaux@thereporteronline.com.
I hope you won’t be offended by this plea to help the MDA, because their work does so much, including funding clinics, research, support for patients and their families, and camp programs.
The MDA has even provided some examples of how various donations are put to use: $30 equals a flu shot; $85 funds one minute of research; $100 provides one support group session; $200 funds professional fees for a diagnostic workup at clinic; $800 sends one child to MDA summer camp.
I certainly would never ask anyone to donate hundreds and hundreds of dollars — even though that would be great! — but any amount you might want to contribute to help MDA patients would be greatly appreciated.
Together we can all help Jerry’s Kids.

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Nona Breaux is executive editor of The Reporter. Contact her at nbreaux@thereporteronline.com.