One of the March of Dimes favorite events, Jail & Bail brings together community leaders and ordinary citizens for a common cause…fighting birth defects, infant mortality and prematurity. Since its inception in l957, more than 5 million citizens have volunteered their time in the name of fun—and for a good cause.

At this event, volunteer “jail birds” are escorted from their place of business by volunteer police officers and taken to a “mock jail.” Prisoners are arraigned before a volunteer judge on trumped-up, outlandish charges, such as “reckless golf cart driving,” “smiling too much at Monday morning meetings,” or “wearing outlandish ties.” They are then sentenced to spend one hour in the slammer to raise bail in the form of contributions to the March of Dimes. Nearly 500 events are held annually across the country. In 2003, Jail & Bail raised more than $3.5 million for the March of Dimes.