Jail 'n Bail
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
presented by Sigma Alpha Epsilon to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota
Jail 'n Bail registration now open!
What is Jail 'n Bail?
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity holds the annual Jail 'n Bail fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota. Established in 1995, Jail 'n Bail is now the largest philanthropic event held by a University of Minnesota (U of MN) student organization.
Students, faculty and staff can register to be prisoners online at jailnbail.kintera.org. Prisoners send their friends arrest warrants via email to ask them to become prisoners as well. Prisoners then solicit dollars from everyone they know to help them make bail, which is donated to Special Olympics Minnesota.
On April 13, the members of the SAE fraternity, in conjuction with the U of MN and Minneapolis Police Departments, coordinate mock arrests for participants with warrants who haven't yet made bail. Prisoners are taken to jail throughout the day, which is a tent outside Northrop Auditorium. Mug shots are captured and uploaded to the Web, and then the prisoners use their cell phones to raise additional online pledges for bail to support Special Olympics Minnesota. Once a prisoner has made bail online or at the event, he or she is released!
Jail 'n Bail is a component of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) in Minnesota, a worldwide grassroots organization of law enforcement officers who generate funds and create awareness for Special Olympics programs.
How does the event work?
- You can sign up to be a prisoner online at jailnbail.kintera.org. Issue an arrest warrant to your friends via email and ask them to register as prisoners, solicit funds from everyone you know to help you make your bail, or become a warden and form your own Jail 'n Bail mob!
- All prisoners who have not yet made bail will be arrested and brought to Northrup Mall on April 13. Former inmates are also invited to attend — a free T-shirt, mug shot and food awaits!
- Alternatively, you can also drop off arrest warrants at any U of MN bookstore or mail them to SAE at 1815 University Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
What is Special Olympics Minnesota?
Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition. Through Special Olympics' athletic, health and leadership programs, people with intellectual disabilities transform themselves, their communities and the world.
What is Sigma Alpha Epsilon?
In 1995, Tony Biel, a member of SAE fraternity, and Minneapolis Police Officer Rich Sheldon created Jail 'n Bail. They envisioned the fundraiser as a way to benefit Special Olympics Minnesota while improving relations between law enforcement and fraternal organizations.
Jail 'n Bail helps the members of SAE become "True Gentlemen" through their experiences with an event that can help thousands of people with intellectual disabilities while simultaneously bringing hundreds of members of the U of MN community together to achieve a common goal. The aim to become a "True Gentleman" is at the core of the SAE fraternity.
