'Jailbirds' Rustle Up More Than $38,000

Jerry's Kids got a boost at a recent fundraising event in Plant City.

Nick Reaume, a program coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Tampa, joined with his staff and volunteers at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club for the Sept. 18 fundraiser.

An upstairs meeting room was turned into a makeshift jail, where volunteer jailbirds were asked to post "bail" to earn their release. Many called friends and relatives for donations.

"At last count, we collected more than $38,000 at the event," Reaume said. "Each of our volunteer jailbirds brings in donations and contributions from many sources. In total, there are many people who contribute to the overall success of the event."

Volunteer jailbirds, including Deanna Rollyson of Plant City, the 2009 Mrs. Florida International, were served arrest warrants by the driver of a limousine service who whisked them off to the makeshift jail.

"I barely had time to grab my crown and my sash before they hauled me away," said Rollyson, the owner and president of Matrix Medical.

Rollyson was up for the lighthearted high jinks that surrounded the MDA event. She, like the others who volunteered a month ago to participate in the fundraiser, made good use of her time in jail to solicit bail from friends and associates. She also opened up her own wallet.

"It's for a great cause," Rollyson said. "I was glad to take part in this event. It would be great if they can beat" muscular dystrophy.

Reaume was pleased.

"The Plant City community did a great job," he said. "They have many generous people and business leaders in the community."

Some of the top fundraisers included Gary Baron, of CF Industries, who raised $2,701; Leslie Gray, of Bella Hermida CPA, with $2,500; Steve Boggs, of Boggs Engineering, who raised $1,755; and Gary Pike, of Consolidated Electric, with $1,600.