Features Editor

Feb. 12, 2001 10 PM

Being behind bars is not usually a pleasant place to be, but, for supporters of the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospitals,, there was no place they would rather be.

On Friday and Saturday, community volunteers and Wal-Mart associates went behind lock and key to raise money for CMN hospitals. Under "house arrest" at Troy’s Super Wal-Mart, the "jailbirds" begged for bail money from customers and from friends and family over the telephone.

Faye Kidd, community coordinator for Troy Wal-Mart, said when raising money for the CMN Children’s Hospitals, they throw away the rule book.

Usually, a person under arrest is allowed only one phone call, but Kidd said Wal-Mart allows those under arrest on the company’s "warrant" unlimited use of the telephone as they seek to raise their share of the $10,000 "bail" money.

Mary Ann Casey, director of the Colley Senior Complex, was the first community citizen to be jailed.

She did not resist when approached with the "Wal-Mart warrant." In fact, she had on a happy face as she made a beeline into the cell. She was "begging for bail" even before the cell door slammed behind her.

"This is such a worthy cause," Casey said of the CMN. "Any time we can do something to help children, especially children who are sick, I’m all for it. For me, being asked to be a part of this fund- raising effort was a privilege."

Casey said telephone pledges and "handouts" had her out of jail in record time.

"The people of our community are kind and giving and I thank all of those who bailed me out for being a part of this effort," she said. "And, I thank Wal-Mart for giving me – us – this opportunity to be a part of such a worthwhile cause."

Kidd said the Pike County’s generosity is a matter of record.

"People are very generous with their giving," Kidd said. "Here, in Troy, we raised about $500 from Jail for Bail. This year’s total to date is $4,020."

The Jail for Bail is not the only fund raiser Troy Wal-Mart has to benefit the CMN hospitals. Last year, their total contribution was $8,500.

"This year our goal is $10,000," Kidd said.

"We appreciate the support of our customers and the community. They are the ones responsible. They make it happen."

As "Always," Wal-Mart is a strong support of children and of youth programs. So, in 1988, Wal-Mart Stores became the exclusive retail sponsor of the Children’s Miracle Network, thus expanding its commitment to the communities where it is located

One hundred percent of local donations stay in the communities where they are made to benefit participating hospitals.

Since 1988, more than $160 million has been generated for CMN hospitals through the efforts of Wal-Mart associates/partners. Last year alone Wal-Mart alone contributed $30 million to CMN Children’s Hospitals.

The Children’s Miracle Network began in 1983 and, since that time CMN has helped raise more than $1.4 billion for hospitals serving children.

The hospitals associated with CMN treat children with all types of afflictions – cancer, heart and muscular diseases, birth defects, cerebral palsy, AIDS and accident victims. They pride themselves on treating the whole child, rendering service based on need, not ability to pay, Kidd said.

CMN hospitals treat more than 14 million children each year,