Boonsboro residents behind bars

Some sentenced to raise funds for March of Dimes

January 23, 2008|By ERIN CUNNINGHAM

BOONSBORO ? Fundraising has sent a Boonsboro town councilwoman, a high school principal and a postal worker to jail.

All three participated in the March of Dimes' "jail and bail" fundraiser and were confined until raising bail money. On Wednesday, Councilwoman Natalie J. Mose and officer in charge of the Boonsboro Post Office Kami Hoffman remained at the town's community building at Shaffer Park for about one hour.

They raised more than $1,700 for March of Dimes.

Nancy Wiley, community director for March of Dimes, said that Boonsboro High School Principal Martin Green did a similar fundraiser in December. Students actually raised $600 to keep Green in jail, instead of bailing him out.

March of Dimes helps prevent birth defects

Wiley said another jail and bail fundraiser is being planned for October.

The March of Dimes is a nonprofit health organization that works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Hoffman, who was taken to jail Wednesday for sending first-class mail with a bulk rate, said she raised most of her bail money from her friends, family and co-workers. She and Mose said they agreed to participate in the fundraiser, which included being taken to the community building by local police, because the money would go to a good cause.

"Everyone at work was telling them to handcuff me," Hoffman said.

Boonsboro's town council decided at a recent meeting to donate $100 to March of Dimes, and Mayor Charles F. "Skip" Kauffman Jr. gave another $50.

Mose said she was arrested for campaigning for the establishment of chocolate appreciation day, which is the charge listed in a fake warrant for her arrest.

More participation needed

Wiley said that more people were invited to raise money for March of Dimes, but she was disappointed with the lack of participation.

"I think it's a worthwhile cause, and I'm just sorry there's not more participation," Mose said.

Green said the fundraising he did was different than that of Mose and Hoffman.

"Theirs is jail and bail," he said. "Our was pay to send Mr. Green to jail. The kids pay and I go to jail."

He said that more money likely would be raised if the school's assistant principals, Scott Noll and Garth Fazio, participated.

"They deal more with discipline," Green said.

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