Go directly to Jail. Do not pass Go. Collect $1,000 when you’re there.

These are words many Ames citizens will hear today and Thursday when they are locked up to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

More than 200 Ames-area residents will try to raise $1,000 each for MDA by spending an hour “locked up” at the downtown Brenton Bank. The “jailbirds” will raise bail from their cell at the bank by calling Ames residents to make donations. If they choose, they can avoid the lock-up by raising the money in advance.

Jill Zeiger, organizer of the event, said lock-ups such as this are held about once a month in various cities throughout central Iowa. The two-day events are the biggest fund-raisers for the association. “They’re also the most fun,” Zeiger said.

“It’s fun for the participants to spend an hour behind bars for a good cause,” Zeiger said.

In last year’s lock-up, $17,000 was raised by the 153 participants. This year, with more than 200 people raising money, Zeiger said she is hoping for $25,000.

The money raised will be used to provide support for the 11 families in Story County that are served by MDA. “One hundred percent of the money raised is staying right here,” Zeiger said.

The services the money will support include free clinical care at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, support groups, wheelchairs, genetic counseling and youth summer camps, Zeiger said. The funds will also go to the Iowa State research effort to find treatments and a cure for neuromuscular disease.

Ellen Fairchild, ISU Adult Learner and Commuter Student Programs coordinator, is looking forward to being locked up, but she admits to being a little nervous.

“I’ve been so busy preparing for Veishea I haven’t had time to tell many people about it, so I’m not sure if I can raise all of the money,” she said.

However, Fairchild said the cause is worth it. “This is a disease that is really devastating to so many people. Hopefully, we can raise enough money to make some headway on this disease,” she said.

The top fund-raisers will receive gift certificates from various Ames businesses including Jiffy Lube, Applebee’s, Ruttles Bar and Grill, Perkins Restaurant, Red Lobster and The Market.

Other area residents being locked up today include Bob Benson of Benson Motors and Dean Hunziker of Hunziker and Associates.

Zeiger said the public is encouraged to stop by the bank to visit the prisoners and make contributions. The jailbirds and MDA officials can be found in the upstairs conference room of the downtown Brenton Bank from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Thursday.