Local business and community leaders found themselves “arrested” by Kirkland Firefighters March 26 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) annual Lock-up fundraiser at Heritage Hall.

Participants have “warrants” issued for their arrest and try to raise “bail” (donations), before the Lock-up date and receive a “Get-out-of-jail-free” card. Those who didn’t are provided a phone call (if they don’t have a cell phone) and agree to stay until they can gather pledges to reach the donation goal. This year, MDA representatives set a goal for each detainee to raise $2,000 between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They hoped to raise at least $57,000 by the end of the day.

Amber Morse, 25, sat next to the jail rigged from black paint daubed PVC piping and oversaw “mugshots” taken of the incarcerated fundraisers. Stricken with a type of muscular dystrophy that keeps her in a wheelchair, her ebullient mood belied circumstances as she cracked jokes about getting around.

“I like to say, instead of two legs, I’ve got six,” she said, referring to the wheels below.

About a dozen local firefighters volunteered their time by ferrying the participants from work to the hall and back. A distinct whoop went up when Kirkland Fire & Building Chief Jeff Blake arrived for his turn in the jail. He handed his get-out-of-jail card over the to the mock judge, Tabby Stover, after raising $2,160 before the event.

“Fire Departments have a long history of supporting and fundraising for the MDA,” he said.

The nonprofit organization is a voluntary health agency aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans through worldwide research, medical and community services and professional and public health education. MDA scientists have uncovered genetic defects responsible for a variety of forms of muscular dystrophy including childhood spinal muscular atrophy and a form of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

For more information or to make a donation contact the MDA by calling 425-283-0730.