Written by Kelsy Vickers, intern with The Messenger

On Saturday, familiar faces in the community were incarcerated in a makeshift jail cell in the gazebo on the square.

Participants were “locked up” in the hopes of raising $300 each for “bail” to support the Boys & Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Counties’ summer program.

The event raised more than $4,000 for the club.

Club Board Member Angie Collins said that this was the first time the club held the event and that the board and the children had been looking forward to it.

“We know this means a lot to the children in the Boys & Girls Club … The more help we can get from the community, the better,” Collins said.

A massage therapist from the Victorian Day Spa was provided to pamper the inmates, and food was donated by Chik-fil-A.

Participants in the event included Pastor Elijah Shafar, Blair Taylor, Sadaris Williams, Sheila Jackson, Dianna Lee, Pamela Nealey, Amy Drinkard, Richard Keill, and Kimberly Murphy.

Pamela Nealey, chief professional officer of the club, said that she thought the event was a great idea.

“I think it’s wonderful when we can let people know that we care and want to help them,” Nealey shared.

Sha’bria Cole, 12-year-old member of the Boys & Girls Club, said that it made her very happy to see the community members help raise money for the program.

The Boys and Girls Club summer program started June 3 and space is still available. For non-members, the cost of the 10-week program is $250 and for club members the cost is $150. Children are welcomed at the club from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays until Aug. 9.

For more information, contact the organization at (334) 770-2582.