Dick Bates and The Insurance Center are teaming up in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy by taking part in “Claremont’s Lock Up for MDA”. Dick will need all the bail money he can get from now until April 16th.
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 use their vendors, co-workers, family and friends to get donations that will go toward their “bail.” Below is Dick’s heartfelt story about why he chooses to be involved in this wonderful program.
My motivation in volunteering to participate as a “Jailbird” in the MDA Lock-Up fundraiser is to honor the memory of my brother, Bill Bates. Bill was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy as a young boy and battled this hideous disease his entire life before succumbing to it nearly 18 years ago at the age of 39.
Bill was a remarkable person, who refused to let Muscular Dystrophy define his life. His indomitable spirit and incredible determination inspired everyone who knew him, and enabled him to lead a life that far exceeded the expectations of his early doctors in terms of longevity and accomplishments. But Bill would have been the first to tell you that MDA played a vital role in providing him with much-needed assistance, information and support throughout his life. Bill spent countless hours many Labor Day Weekends in Manchester volunteering his help with the local MDA Telethons so that others might receive MDA’s benefits, too. If Bill were alive today, I know he’d still be finding ways to give back to MDA – the MDA Lock-Up event and your donations to help me raise my “Bail” will help make that a reality and honor Bill’s legacy.
If you would like to donate to this cause and add to Dick’s “bail” money, please click here.