Thanks to the kind hearts of a large number of coworkers, friends and family, I was able to turn $2065 over to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Thursday as “bail” money to get me out of “jail.”

The money that was donated will be used locally to fight muscular dystrophy, and to make opportunities available to local kids who otherwise would not have a chance to do many of the things their friends are able to do. My personal story (in the email included below) is just one example among many thousands of how small donations can add up to provide big opportunities for these kids. 

Four local children and youth will get to attend a special summer camp this year thanks to the donations. I can tell you, the MDA workers and volunteers down at the “jail” Thursday morning were ecstatic to have such a large amount donated by so many people, in such a short period of time. I was the first person today to successfully meet my “bail” goal and get out of jail. While there, I also received an invitation to attend the summer camp this year, and I think I may just have to take them up on the offer.

Again, thanks very much to all who contributed. If anyone was hoping to contribute but was unable to prior to my “arrest,” they can definitely still do so. Simply contact me by email, phone or in person, and I will be glad to make the arrangements. 

Thanks again for making a difference,

 - Greg

From: Greg Hughes
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 8:22 AM
Subject: Please help bail me out

Thursday, April 29, 2004
8:00 AM

In about one hour, I will be stolen from my place of work and carted off to jail. I have not been able to raise the full bail amount necessary to buy my freedom. Although many of my friends, family and coworkers have contributed to raise more than half the set bail, and every penny is appreciated greatly, it just doesn’t total up to the $1800 figure.

Perhaps there is something you can do to persuade more people that a small gift to MDA is a good and important thing to do. As an example, each $550 raised will send one child with Muscular Dystrophy to summer camp for a week, where they will have an opportunity to experience the kinds of things that other kids get to do. 

A personal story: When I was in college (and before I lost my hair), I worked at such a camp. I remember one boy from inner-city St. Louis who was unable to walk on his own and had some pretty severe muscular control problems. More than anything he wanted to go to camp and do what he had heard his friends rave about time and time again: To go into a deep, dark cave and spend an hour or two crawling through mud, seeing bats and cave formations, wading through cold ground water, and having an experience he could tell his friends about. I strapped him on my back (literally) and we went caving, with helmet and flashlights, just like all the other kids. You should have seen the look on his face. That’s the kind of experience these kids can have at these camps, and the meaning behind them (for the kids) is really something that can’t be fully measured.

At any rate, we’re not quite there yet, and I am truly hoping to be able to return to the real world today! Anything that anyone can do is appreciated. An email pledge for a specific dollar amount (sent to me and received on my blackberry while I am in jail starting at about 9am) would be great. And any amount helps make a kid’s life a little more special, and helps find a cure for MD. 

Yours in Prison,

 - Greg