The Good News: I’ll only be incarcerated for an hour, and with your help, I’ll do some good while I’m in lockup.

When I was invited to participate in the West Little Rock MDA Lockup on April 1, 2009, I frankly had reservations. We’re all recessing these days (in the midst of a recession, for you linear types), some have lost jobs, even more have suffered pay cuts, and I don’t even want to discuss my porcelain-wrapped 401(k). It just doesn’t seem like a good time to be asking people for financial contributions.

In fact, I almost dropped out. It would be a lot easier. It’s not like I don’t have anything to do with my time. Let me tell you why I decided to stick it out.

The MDA Lockup isn’t about me. It’s not about you, either. It’s about helping children who are afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy and it’s rotten cousins. The kids we’re talking about know what tough times are all about. Many earned their sufferer stripes long before the stock market tanked. Their parents are on a rough ride, too; as if having a child with a serious, life-threatening disease isn’t enough, the parents of these children are also dealing with the same economic challenges as the rest of us.

And I thought I was having a bad year.

I’ve decided to stay the course and do what I can to help these kids and their parents, and I could really use your help. Yes, I know times are tough. If you can’t help right now, I understand. Don’t let guilt creep in and ruin your day, just wish me well and remember I still love you.

However, if you can help–even if it’s only skipping that latte and donating the cash–the kids will sure appreciate it, and so will I.

You can make safe, secure online donations by clicking here before April 1, 2009. Pay no attention to the inflated goal that’s been set for me, and don’t let the suggested donation amounts guilt you into neglecting your own kids’ needs. Do whatever you can. Your contribution—no matter how small—will make a difference for families who need our help. If you have problems with that link, here’s the web address to cut and paste:

https://www.joinmda.org/wlrlockup09/dancase

By the way, if you need an additional incentive, I have it on good authority that the good folks at MDA might agree to keep me locked up somewhere in exchange for an appropriate contribution.