GLENDALE, Arizona, October 2001 - "There's always something happening at Famous Sam's," and on Tuesday, October 24rd, Famous Sam's™ Restaurant Sports Bar at 4343 W. Glendale Avenue in Glendale (623-937-6131) will become a jail cell, filled with "jailbirds" who must raise bail by phoning friends, family, acquaintances, whomever. It is all for a good cause, however. It's the MDA "Lock-Up," a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) fund-raiser.

The soon-to-be-incarcerated are local business people and community leaders, "arrested" for being kind people with big hearts. They will be "apprehended" by members of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Posse between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and hauled away to the Glendale Famous Sam's "jail" in vehicles donated by Chapman Dodge, 65th Street and McDowell Road in Scottsdale, for the event.

While "locked up" the MDA Lock-Up "jailbirds" can snack on an array of appetizers and quench thirsts with ice teas and sodas - all courtesy of Famous Sam's. The "jailbirds" will also be able to make many more than the one requisite phone call to raise "bail" money. Alltell is donating cell phones and airtime for the charity event.

"We are again looking forward to working with Famous Sam's," said Mike Gaddis, MDA Program Coordinator. "It's a fun event. More importantly, it raises needed money for MDA's research for finding cures for neuromuscular diseases."
Glendale Famous Sam's franchise owners David and Patti Valdez were asked by MDA to host the "Lock-Up" fund-raiser because of the success of an April "Lock-Up" at their Famous Sam's on Greenway in Phoenix, which raised $49,000 for MDA.

Famous Sam's™ Restaurant Sports Bar originated in Tucson, Arizona, in 1963. Each franchise restaurant is distinctive to its neighborhood location. Famous Sam's Restaurant Sports Bars focus on food, family entertainment and a fun environment for sports enthusiasts. Presently, there are 30 locations throughout Arizona.

Founded in 1950, the Muscular Dystrophy Association is a non-profit national health organization, dedicated to finding cures for 40 neuromuscular diseases. Services and equipment provided through MDA's patient services program help to prolong the lives and improve the quality of life of people affected by the neuromuscular diseases.