‘Jail or Bail’ in works

The local Voyageur Lions Club will host a “Jail or Bail” event this spring—and are looking for “convicts” to participate in the fundraiser.
“Just for a fun time, we’re going to ‘arrest’ citizens in Fort Frances,” explained club member Diana Larocque.

“Participants are given a pledge sheet and they need to raise $300 [to get out of jail].”
Larocque added the person who raises the most money will receive a “Top Convict” award, which consists of a plaque and bragging rights.
The event will be take place at Canadian Tire on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. But those interested in participating should sing up with Bill Michl (274-1329) by the end of the month.
Those who are “arrested” will appear before a “judge” and be read their charges. Then they will be sentenced to time in jail until they raise the $300.
“If they don’t raise the $300, then they have their cellphones and they can call their family and friends to help get them out of jail,” Larocque noted.
“In some instances, they pay to keep them in jail a little longer,” she chuckled.
“We’re hoping it’s going to be a fun time,” enthused Larocque, adding they hope to have the OPP on hand, as well as some other surprises throughout the day.
The club also will be selling popcorn and drinks. And there will be a penny table, a Lions Club membership booth, and information about the annual dog walk.
There currently are 15 confirmed participants for the “Jail or Bail” event, but the club is looking to have 30-40 “convicts” in all.
“Because we are a small group, we have to continuously do fundraisers,” Larocque explained.
“We’re always asked for help in the community and a lot of times we can’t meet those needs.
“So this fundraiser will generate a lot of funds, if we can get 30-40 people to participate,” she stressed.
Larocque said businesses that have representation in the event will get “Jail or Bail” signs for their windows.
Then family, friends, and colleagues can help the participant pledge the $300 to get out of jail.
Larocque noted a “Jail or Bail” event was done here many, many years ago. And she said she introduced it as a fundraiser in her former home in eastern Ontario, where they organized it for 14 years.
“It helped us pay for our community policing office space in the mall,” she noted.
“You can imagine how expensive that would be.”
As such, she’s hoping the “Jail or Bail” event in Fort Frances will be just as successful, raising enough funds that the Voyageurs Lions can slow the pace on some of the other fundraising efforts.
“It can get pretty taxing,” Larocque admitted.
All the money raised will go toward projects supported by the Voyageur Lions Club.
“We’re inundated with requests from the public to help out with various things,” Larocque reiterated.
She said the club helps fund the dog guide program, collect eye glasses, support vision screening clinics, and assist with Meals on Wheels, as well as offer support to Special Olympics, swim teams, squash clubs—just to name a few.
“The money stays in the community to help people in the community,” Larocque stressed.
“One of our slogan’s is: Are you a MAD person? MAD meaning, do you want to ‘make a difference.’
“We’re here to serve and that’s our motto,” she added.
Other fundraisers held by the club annually include the drive-thru breakfast at Tim Hortons and the “Polar Plunge” on New Year’s Day.
And it always is looking for new members.
“Anyone interested can approach any of us to get an application to fill out,” Larocque said.
For more information about the “Jail or Bail” event, call Larocque at 274-1246.