Incarceration has proven beneficial for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Amy Alvarez of the Association was hoping a recent lock-up of Buford "jailbirds" would raise $25,000. She was elated to report that the event raised $41,000.

"It was beyond a huge success, it was wonderful," she said.

The lockup took participants from their businesses to the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, where they were photographed, given tasty treats to eat and allowed to raise money. The money raised will help send children to Camp Walk and Roll this summer.

For a week, children with neuromuscular disorders — the MDA covers 43 such diseases — will get to ride horses, zipline, fish and swim at a camp in Rutledge. The cost per camper is $800, all of which is covered by the MDA.

Mike Haskell, one of those participating in the lock up, said the experience was "rewarding and fun." He was picked up by the Georgia State patrol, seen by a judge and taken to a "cell" at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center.

His phone calls to friends for bail helped him raise more than $3,000 for the MDA. Haskell is the southern regional manager for ParTech.

The MDA has no board of directors and accepts no government money, said Alvarez. It depends on donations to do its work. In addition to the camp, the association helps fund research, pays for children to attend clinics and helps support families in a number of ways.

"Ultimately, we want everyone who works here to be out of a job," Alvarez said.

For more information, visit www.mda.org or call 770-621-9800.