Cares enough to make a difference

To the editor:

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Mat-Su Valley community for its incredible support during our “Most Wanted” Lock-Up, to benefit the Alaska Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Everyone worked hard on Dec. 8, calling friends and business associates to raise more than $30,000 in charitable contributions to benefit the local programs of the MDA. Special thanks to our “jailbirds” who dedicated their time and effort to raise funds for “Jerry’s kids.”

A large part of the success of the event is due to various local businesses and community leaders that sponsor and support the event. I would like to thank Chili’s in Wasilla for hosting the Lock-Up, AT&T for donating cellular telephones, Avis Alaska for providing “jailbird” transportation and Valley Radio Q99.7 FM for radio coverage.

Also special thanks to the volunteers from the Big Lake/ West Lake Fire Department and Wasilla Walgreens who acted as “arresting officers” and helped take “mug shots” of the “jailbirds.”

It’s been proven time and time again that the Mat-Su Valley community cares enough to make a difference. The dollars raised from the Lock-Up translate into direct local patient services that benefit families who live right here in our community.

Services are provided at no cost to families and include: monthly MDA clinics, support groups for MDA clients and families, assistance with loaned durable medical equipment and repairs, and a magical week for children age 6-17 at Camp Birchwood. These are just some of the services MDA Alaska can provide because of the generous support from community leaders, teachers, business owners, and others.

Thank you for making a difference in the fight against neuromuscular disease.

Ashley Bice

Executive Director, MDA Alaska

Anchorage