Inaugural Make a Muscle Chili Cook-Off Benefits MDA

H-E-B, Harley-Davidson of Waco, Coors Light and Miller Lite will present the first ever Make a Muscle Chili Cook-Off benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Saturday, September 3 from noon to 5 p.m.

The general public is invited to an afternoon of fun at Harley-Davidson of Waco for $5 per person or $20 a family. Limousines Limited will present entertainment from Holly Tucker, Tony Calhoun & Pleasure, and Sloppy Joe Band as Chili Cook-Off competitors vie for the titles of Best Chili From a Team, Best Chili From a Restaurant, Fan Favorite, and Best Team Spirit. Judging for the top chili titles begins at 3 p.m.

Teams of four can compete in the Make a Muscle Chili Cook-Off by picking up a registration form at Harley-Davidson of Waco or any area H-E-B location, or by downloading a form at www.HOTMDAchilicookoff.com. The team registration fee is $200, and forms must either be faxed to 254-399-8225 or emailed to Cherise Myatt at chawkins@mdausa.org by August 26. Corporate sponsorships are also available.

Proceeds from the first ever Make a Muscle Chili Cook-Off go to Heart of Texas MDA, which serves 250 Central Texas families affected by neuromuscular disease by supporting an MDA Clinic at Hillcrest Family Health Clinic and sending children to MDA Summer Camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA's annual Labor Day Telethon will air in the Waco area Sunday, September 4 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight on News Channel 25.

For more information, please contact Cherise Myatt at 254-399-8221 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

MDA Teams Up with Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep for Sale-A-Thon

Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep will donate a portion of the proceeds from every car sold between August 20 and September 3 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for their second MDA Sale-A-Thon.

Those shopping for a new Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep can buy a car at Allen Samuels between Saturday, August 20 and Saturday, September 3 in order to help in the fight against muscle disease. On the afternoon of Saturday, August 27, Dustin Drew from MIX 92.9 FM will do a live remote from the dealership and invite MIX listeners to come purchase a vehicle and participate in prize giveaways and visits from MDA friends.

This is the second year Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep has participated in the MDA Sale-A-Thon, and the dealership is hoping to exceed 2010's contribution of $5,300.

"I saw this as a great opportunity to help a worthy cause," said Allen Samuels General Manager Ted Teague of the MDA Sale-A-Thon.

In addition to putting on the MDA Sale-A-Thon, Allen Samuels recently hosted MDA's Telethon Executive Lock-Up, where business leaders from around the Waco community raised over $78,000 for the Association. The funds raised at the Lock-Up and from the Sale-A-Thon support an MDA Clinic at Hillcrest Family Health Clinic and send children to MDA Summer Camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education for the 250 Central Texas families affected by neuromuscular disease. Allen Samuels will present a check for the total amount raised during the Sale-A-Thon live on MDA's annual Labor Day Telethon, which will air in the Waco area on Sunday, September 4 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight on News Channel 25.

For more information, please contact Cherise Myatt at 254-399-8221 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Allen Fire Fighters Fill the Boot with Donations for MDA

Allen fire fighters will raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on August 19, 20 and 21 through MDA's Fill the Boot campaign.

Off-duty Allen fire fighters will ask residents and passersby to make contributions for the fight against muscle disease for three days at various intersections throughout the city. Fire fighters will be at the intersections of Bethany Drive and Greenville Avenue and Alma Drive and McDermott Drive from 7 to 9 a.m. on Friday, August 19. Fire fighters will collect again at U.S. Highway 75 and Bethany Drive and U.S. Highway 75 and Stacy Road from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 20. Allen fire fighters will collect funds one last time from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 21 at U.S. Highway 75 and Bethany Drive and U.S. Highway 75 and Stacy Road.

In 2010, Allen fire fighters raised $12,618, and the department hopes to exceed that amount this year.

Proceeds collected from Fill the Boot aid local children and adults with neuromuscular disease by providing research, clinic visits and Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Neurology, Texoma Neurology Associates and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, support groups, and a week-long summer camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian for children ages 6 to 17.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA's annual Labor Day Telethon will air locally Sunday, September 4 from 5 p.m. to midnight on TXA21. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Courtney Marshall at 972-480-0011 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

MDA "Locks Up" Leaders to Raise Funds

VERNON, Texas – AUGUST 11, 2011 – Local business leaders will soon become “jailbirds” when they are “locked up” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Wilbarger County Telethon Executive Lock-Up on Thursday, August 18.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the Lock-Up, jailbirds will be “arrested” and taken into “holding” at the Wilbarger Auditorium. There, jailbirds will have their “mug shots” taken and enjoy a complimentary meal as they call friends and family to help make their bail of $800 for MDA, the cost to send one child to MDA Summer Camp.

The Wilbarger County Telethon Executive Lock-Up is a preliminary event to MDA’s annual Labor Day Telethon, which will air locally Sunday, September 4 from 6 p.m. to midnight on KFDX.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services at MDA Clinics like the one at The Neurology Center in Wichita Falls, advocacy and education. Up-to-date information can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Daniel York at 940-696-5581 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Waco's "Most Wanted" Raise Over $78,000 for MDA

WACO, Texas – AUGUST 11, 2011 –Waco’s “Most Wanted” business and community leaders were put “behind bars” for having big hearts on Thursday, August 4 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Telethon Executive Lock-Up. The “jailbirds” raised over $78,000 for the Association.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the Lock-Up, the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association of McLennan County “arrested” jailbirds and escorted them to Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep for “holding.” Upon arrival, jailbirds were greeted by Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep General Manager Ted Teague, the Lock-Up’s celebrity “judge”, and MDA Summer Camper Jonathan Jones. Once jailbirds were “sentenced” and had their “mug shots” taken, they enjoyed a catered lunch from El Chico as they raised “bail” to be donated to MDA. Each jailbird was asked for bail totaling to $1,600, the price to send two children to MDA Summer Camp.

MDA would like to extend a special thanks to the 20 volunteers from the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Association of McLennan County for helping escort jailbirds to and from the Lock-Up Thursday afternoon. MDA would also like to thank the jailbirds for raising funds to help the 250 Central Texas families affected by neuromuscular disease. Funds raised at the Lock-Up support an MDA Clinic at Hillcrest Family Health Clinic and send children to MDA Summer Camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian.

In addition to hosting Waco’s Telethon Executive Lock-Up, Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep will also host an MDA Sale-a-thon between August 20 and September 3, where $75 of each car sold goes to MDA. The Lock-Up and Sale-a-thon are preliminary events for MDA’s annual Labor Day Telethon, which will be broadcast in the Waco area Sunday, September 4 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight on News Channel 25.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education. Up-to-date information on MDA can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Cherise Hawkins Myatt at 254-399-8221 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Bid Muscle Disease Farewell During Telethon Online Auction

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is opening its fifth annual Telethon Online Auction August 25 through September 8.

The Telethon Online Auction works in conjunction with MDA's annual Labor Day Telethon, which will be broadcast Sunday, September 4. Items donated to the auction include a basketball signed by J.J. Barea from the National Basketball Association's 2011 Champion Dallas Mavericks, a seven day Holland America Caribbean or Mexican cruise for two, two round trip AirTran tickets, a $5,000 Hearts On Fire diamond necklace and much more. This year's major Telethon Online Auction sponsor is CITGO.

MDA will continue to receive items until the auction ends. To preview or donate auction items, visit www.goMDAauction.com.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Carmen Holmes or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

"Locked Up" Wichita Falls Leaders Raise Over $66,000 for MDA

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – AUGUST 10, 2011 – Ninety Wichita Falls business leaders were “arrested” on Thursday, August 4 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Telethon Executive Lock-Up and raised over $66,000 for the Association.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, a volunteer “posse” used cars provided by Pruitt Ford to transport “jailbirds” to “holding” at The Pelican. Once each jailbird was “sentenced” and had their “mug shot” taken, they called upon friends and family to help make “bail” totaling to $1,600 in donations to MDA. The total amount of bail raised at Thursday’s event is enough money to send 82 kids to MDA Summer Camp or sponsor 2,200 flu shots.

The Wichita Falls Telethon Executive Lock-Up is a preliminary event to MDA’s annual Labor Day Telethon, which will air Sunday, September 4 from 6 p.m. to midnight on KFDX.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services at MDA Clinics like the one at The Neurology Center, advocacy, and education. Up-to-date information about MDA can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Daniel York at 940-696-5581 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Firefighters Fill the Boot for MDA During Tax Free Weekend

The Sherman and Denison Firefighter Associations will join forces to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on August 19 and 20 through MDA's Fill the Boot campaign.

Shoppers taking advantage of tax free weekend will be greeted by firefighters with boots in hand at three Sherman hotspots. Firefighters will fill their boots with donations for MDA at Sherman Town Center the afternoon of August 19 and all day August 20. Firefighters will also be collecting all day on Saturday, August 20 at Sherman's Lowe's Home Improvement and Sherman's Sam's Club.

Working separately in 2010, Denison's fire department raised over $3,500 for MDA, and Sherman's fire department raised $6,400. By combining their efforts during one of the busiest shopping holidays in 2011, the Sherman and Denison Firefighter Associations hope to raise more money for MDA this year than either department ever has before.

Proceeds collected from Fill the Boot aid local children and adults with neuromuscular disease by providing research, clinic visits and Texoma Neurology Associates, support groups and a week-long summer camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian for children ages 6 to 17.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

MDA Provides "Knowledge to Success" to Young Adults

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is hosting its third annual Knowledge to Success on Saturday, August 20 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Independence Conference Room at Children's Medical Center of Dallas for young adults aged 16 to 25 living with neuromuscular disease.

At this empowerment seminar, the Arlington and Dallas campuses of The University of Texas, Canine Companions for Independence, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Paratransit, and more local colleges and organizations will offer young adults living with neuromuscular disease guidance on how best to gain independence after high school. Breakfast and lunch will be provided courtesy of United Rehab Specialists, and guests will be able to ask questions about attending college and entering the workforce.

"Many young adults with neuromuscular disease end up living at home after high school because of the roadblocks they face finding a job or attending college," said MDA Health Care Services Coordinator Jennifer Garst. "We started the annual Knowledge to Success seminar to give the families we serve a place to go ask questions and learn more about college and working."

Knowledge to Success is open to any young adult aged 16 to 25. Those who wish to attend Knowledge to Success must RSVP by August 17 to MDA Health Care Services at 972-480-0016.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also has the new Transitions Resource Center focused on the needs, goals and hopes of young people with neuromuscular disease at www.MDA.org/Transitions. MDA's annual Labor Day Telethon will be broadcast in the Dallas/Fort Worth area Sunday, September 4 from 5 p.m. to midnight on TXA 21.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Garst at 972-480-0016 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Shorter MDA Labor Day Telethon Airs Locally on TXA 21

TXA 21 will broadcast the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Labor Day Telethon live from Las Vegas on Sunday, September 4.

The Telethon will begin with a one-hour local special at 5 p.m. on the Metroplex's new Love Network station, TXA 21. The national Telethon will air from 6 p.m. to midnight, a change from MDA's traditional 21 1/2-hour format. CBS 11 News Anchor Karen Borta and CBS 11/TXA 21 Chief Meteorologist Larry Mowry will present information about local MDA services and families every half hour. Representatives from Sonic, Tom Thumb, Albertsons, Kroger, Lowe's Home Improvement, Heartland Jiffy Lube and North Texas fire fighters will answer pledge phones during the evening.

The 2011 national MDA Telethon co-hosts are So You Think You Can Dance's Nigel Lythgoe, Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell, The Biggest Loser's Alison Sweeney, and Emmy-winning journalist Jann Carl. MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Abbey Umali will also be featured on the show along with country music superstars Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride and more.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. Donated funds support MDA's services locally and nationally, including medical clinics staffed with specialists in neuromuscular disease like Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Neurology, Texoma Neurology Associates, Neurology Associates of Arlington, Cook Children's Medical Center, and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Anita Stevenson or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Shady Valley Golf Club Takes a Swing at Muscle Disease

Shady Valley Golf Club is hosting its 2011 ClubCorp Charity Classic on Saturday, August 20 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and two other North Texas charities.

Shady Valley is inviting the general public to attend the Back to School Swing and Fling on August 20 for reduced prices. The Rally for a Cure Golf Tournament for adult and junior golfers begins at 1 p.m., and a casual pool party with contests, a silent auction, and live music begins at 7 p.m. Proceeds from the day's events will go to Susan G. Komen, the Employee Partners Care Foundation and MDA's Augie's Quest. Competitors in the Rally for a Cure tournament will receive a ClubCorp bounce back certificate for member for a day privileges at all ClubCorp golf and business clubs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Augie's Quest is a campaign started by Augie Nieto, a fitness pioneer diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in March 2005. Now Co-Chair of MDA's ALS Division, Nieto works closely with MDA staff to coordinate fundraising events that will benefit MDA's worldwide ALS research program. The ClubCorp Charity Classic is a signature event for Augie's Quest where private clubs open their doors to help those in need.

"Charity Classic events are a fun way for us to fight a serious disease," said MDA Regional Director of Business Development Carmen Holmes. "We encourage everyone in the Arlington area to enjoy their Saturday at Shady Valley and help us find a cure for ALS."

Prices vary from $20 to $70 for Shady Valley's Charity Classic event. For information on pricing and registration, please contact Jay Iskow at 817-261-4747 or visit www.ClubCorp.com/CharityClassic.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

Tom Thumb Mobiles Send Kids to MDA Summer Camp

Tom Thumb and the Muscular Dystrophy Association are teaming up for their annual "Send a Kid to Camp" in-store fundraising campaign August 1 through September 5 to raise funds for MDA Summer Camp.

Tom Thumb customers can purchase "Send a Kid to Camp" mobiles with a contribution of $1 or more to MDA as they check out at any North Texas store. One hundred percent of the donations will go toward sending children with neuromuscular disease to MDA Summer Camp.

Approximately 90 children with neuromuscular disease from across North Texas attend MDA Summer Camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian, Texas each year. Children ages 6 to 17 spend the "best week of the year" among friends where physical disabilities are the rule rather than the exception. This year's Summer Camp lasted June 19 through June 24, and campers enjoyed power hockey, blow darts, water games, arts & crafts, a ropes challenge course, Camp dances, horseback riding, swimming, talent shows, and more. MDA Summer Camp is free of charge to families thanks to corporations, groups and individuals who raise funds for the Association.

"Tom Thumb is proud to join forces with customers and associates to help send children to Summer Camp," said Tom Thumb Director of Public Affairs Connie Yates. "It means so much for us to be involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association."

Tom Thumb has a long tradition of assisting the Muscular Dystrophy Association with Camp and other signature MDA events. Each year at Camp, Tom Thumb presents a cooking class for campers. In addition, the grocer coordinates a group of employees to volunteer at the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon and donates gift cards for the Telethon Online Auction. During the Telethon, Tom Thumb presents a check from the "Send a Kid to Camp" fundraising campaign.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA's annual Labor Day Telethon will be broadcast in the Dallas/Fort Worth area Sunday, September 4 from 5 p.m. to midnight on TXA 21. Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Jim Brown or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

Waco's "Most Wanted" Raise Funds for MDA

WACO, Texas – AUGUST 1, 2011 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association will put Waco’s “Most Wanted” business and community leaders “behind bars” for having big hearts on Thursday, August 4 for the Telethon Executive Lock-Up.

Though “jailbirds” are “locked-up,” this penitentiary is actually a fun-filled networking event. Beginning at 11 a.m. on the day of the Lock-Up, the McLennan County Sheriff’s Association will “arrest” jailbirds and escort them to Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep for “holding.” Upon arrival, each jailbird will raise bail by calling on friends and family in the Waco area to donate $1,600 to the Association, the cost to send two children to MDA Summer Camp. District Attorney Abel Reyna will be a jailbird, and Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep General Manager Ted Teague will act as the celebrity judge for the event.

Jailbirds will be released with a clean record and MDA’s sincerest appreciation for raising funds to help the 250 Central Texas families affected by neuromuscular disease. Funds raised at the Lock-Up support an MDA Clinic at Hillcrest Family Health Clinic and send children to MDA Summer Camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian.

Allen Samuels Dodge Chrysler Jeep will host an MDA Sale-a-thon between August 20 and September 3, where $75 of each car sold goes to MDA. The Lock-Up and Sale-a-thon are preliminary events for MDA’s annual Labor Day Telethon, which will be broadcast in the Waco area Sunday, September 4 from 5:30 p.m. to midnight on News Channel 25.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education. Up-to-date information on MDA can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Cherise Hawkins Myatt at 254-399-8221 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.

MDA "Locks Up" Wichita Falls Leaders

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – AUGUST 1, 2011 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association is “locking up” several Wichita Falls business leaders on Thursday, August 4 at The Pelican for MDA’s Telethon Executive Lock-Up. “Jailbirds” may be “behind bars”, but this penitentiary is actually a fun-filled fundraiser for the Association.

“Arrests” will be made by a volunteer “posse” beginning at 10 a.m. on the day of the Lock-Up. Jailbirds will be transported from work to The Pelican in cars provided by Pruitt Ford and have their mug shots taken upon arrival. In order to make “bail”, jailbirds must call friends and family over lunch and accumulate $1,600 in donations to the Association.

The Wichita Falls Telethon Executive Lock-Up is a much anticipated networking opportunity that serves as a preliminary event to MDA’s annual Labor Day Telethon. This year’s Telethon is on September 4 from 6 p.m. to midnight on KFDX.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education. Up-to-date information can be found at www.MDA.org.

For more information, please contact Daniel York at 940-696-5581 or Kelsey McGonigle at 972-480-0070.