‘Jail’ collections benefit muscular dystrophy

About 200 Douglas County residents were locked up Thursday at a Lawrence restaurant in a fund-raising activity for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.

The jailbirds, charged with having “big hearts” by volunteer deputies from Firefighters Local 1956 and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical, were taken to Old Chicago Restaurant, 2329 Iowa, where they turned in contributions for the association — aka “bail money” — they had collected.

Those who couldn’t post bail were asked to spend an hour in a cell block calling friends and family for donations. Above, Jill Smith, a teacher at Sunflower School, does some time for the cause.

The association hoped to raise $30,000 during Thursday’s annual event. Donations will assist more than 1,000 local children and adults living with the neuromuscular disease.

Community

Habitat for Humanity bids director farewell

Lawrence Habitat for Humanity is throwing a going-away party today for its executive director, Andre’ Bollaert.

Bollaert, 35, executive director for the past three years, is leaving to pursue other opportunities.

During his stint, the organization helped build 15 homes for low-income families. In all, the local chapter has built 49 homes since it started in 1989.

“I’m really going to miss the awesome people I’ve gotten to work with,” he said.

The party, which is open to the public, will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Habitat for Humanity office, 412 E. Ninth St.