American Cancer Society Jail-a-thon
June 1990
Across the country, many local chapters of the American Cancer Society hold what is called a "Jail-A-Thon" (also referred to as "Jail and Bail"). At these events, citizens can call to arrange for the person of their choice to be "arrested" in exchange for a donation to the Cancer Society. The police arrive on their doorstep with full lights and sirens, handcuff the accused, read them the charges (trumped up by the person paying for the "arrest"), and haul them off to jail to try to "make bail" by soliciting pledges for the Cancer Society. The local chapter in Hendersonville held theirs during Fan Fair Week in June of 1990, with their "jail" set up at Hendersonville High School, and Steve was set up to be arrested (with a little help from Steve's friend Mark Bass). Hope you enjoy looking at the photos!
Steve answers the door, wondering what's going on.
"Sir, you're charged with killing too many cows for their leather, disrupting international trade by cornering the market on Drakkar Noir, and shearing sheep without a license." (This refers to Steve's passion for leather clothes, always wearing lots of Drakkar, and his brand-new short haircut.) As you can see, Steve thought it was hilarious....
Police handcuff the "criminal".
One of the volunteers guards the prisoner as he tries to make bail.
Steve mugs for the camera with one of his jailers.
Getting hard to find anyone home.... waiting for the phone to ring.
"What do you mean, you'll pay them to KEEP me here?!?" Steve's friends are giving him a bit of a hard time.
He's working hard now... having trouble making the bail. Even a call to a local DJ - asking him to appeal to fans to call in with a pledge - isn't working. Even so, Steve's being a good sport...
Free at last, Steve is sent on his way with a free lunch "for the road".
Hendersonville Police give him a ride home.
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