Get arrested for cancer

By Brian Livingston / staff writer

May 07, 2008 11:57 pm

— Relay for Life, which raises money nationally for the American Cancer Society to fund research in battling the disease, is a very serious campaign but it is also made fun by the people and the imaginative ways in which money is collected.
Friday, at Northeast Park, the annual Relay for Life in Lauderdale County will be in full gear. Just think of the fun, however, you can have by getting your boss, wife, even your kids arrested and put in jail. The third year of this fundraising event for the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department promises to be the best yet.
"We want people to know we will have the jail cell, sponsored by the LCSD Cuffers, set up so you can have someone arrested," said LCSD Chief Dep. Ward Calhoun. "Over the years it has turned into one of the funniest, most entertaining ways we've ever thought of to raise money for this very worthy cause."
You would be amazed how easy it is to get someone arrested.
For a $5 donation, you can fill out an arrest affidavit on anyone at the event. Sheriff's deputies are then dispatched to the tent and take the subject into custody complete with handcuffs. The charge can be very imaginative as well so long as it is family oriented.
"Our team here with the LCSD never stops throughout the year raising money but this is by far the most fun," said LCSD Capt. Karen Stephens, who along with Kathy McDonald are the co-captains of the team. "We never dreamed it would get this big."
In order to get out of jail, those behind bars must post a bond to the fundraiser. That amount is contingent on how much the jailers think the accused is worth at the time.
In the first year of the jail, more than $3,500 was raised for the American Cancer Society. Last year that total more than doubled.
"For some reason people just love to get their friends and family arrested," said Calhoun with a smile.

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