There's a warrant out for my arrest, and I need your help to raise bail!

Fortunately, it's for a good cause. And my "jail" on June 13, the day of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Lock-Up, will actually be Outback Steakhouse ... a far better place, offering much better food, than a cell with bars where I'd only get bread and water.

Every year, the MDA "arrests" people and asks them to raise "bail" — contributions to the very good cause:

The Lock-Up is the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s premier fundraising program. These high-profile events occur all across the country at various times throughout the year. Business and community leaders agree to be "put behind bars for good," where they utilize their vendors, co-workers, family and friends to get donations that will go toward their “bail.”

Each Jailbird has weeks to raise his or her donations. That way, on the day of the Lock-Up event, they can enjoy the Lock-Up experience by networking with other business leaders and meeting with the individuals and families that they’re helping in their community. All funds raised by the MDA Lock-Up assist the Association in providing lifesaving research, a nationwide network of medical clinics and accessible summer camp experiences to individuals and families affected by neuromuscular diseases.

So, what are you waiting for? Please, please, please go to my personal donation page and help me make bail!

Now, I admit that I'm looking forward to doing some schmoozing and noshing with fellow jailbirds at Outback Steakhouse; I spoke with one of the managers, Meghan, who told me that the event menu will include chicken on the barbie, potatoes, salad and — sigh - cheesecake. I'm looking forward to spending time at a restaurant that is committed to "community involvement" and which is supporting such an excellent organization as the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

But I still need to make bail!

I'm willing to do the time, so please help me in doing some good. Any and all donations are welcome, and are gratefully appreciated — thank you SO MUCH!

Mary Bilyeu writes for AnnArbor.com on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, telling about her adventures in the kitchen - making dinner, celebrating holidays, entering cooking contests, meeting new friends ... whatever strikes her fancy. She is also on a mission to find great deals for her Frugal Floozie Friday posts, seeking fabulous food at restaurants on the limited budget of only $5 per person. Feel free to email her with questions, comments, or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.

Go visit Mary's blog — Food Floozie — where she enthuses and effuses over all things food-related; and look for her monthly articles in the Washtenaw Jewish News. "Like" her on Facebook, or send a tweet on Twitter, too.

The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured in this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers - when you come to visit here, may you always be happy.