MARQUETTE — A local pastor was behind bars today and he called on his family and friends to post his bail. Why was he locked–up? Because he volunteered.

Pastor Dale Niskanen and other community members agreed to be locked–up at Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Volunteers could call and even text friends and family to donate towards their bail for M–D–A.

Niskansen said, “MDA is raising funds to give hope for children who have MDA, other people who have muscle debilitating type of diseases for research, to bring children to camps and those sort of things. The reason I picked ALS was because it was such a personal story.”

Niskanen’s mom died of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, when he was young. MDA Fundraising Coordinator Lauren Nelsen said that the funds will go towards helping people in the community.

Nelsen added, “Muscle disease can affect anybody, usually it’s genetic so it can be passed down from the parents.”

The event lasts until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. According to the event website the event raised more than $7,500 today.

Click here to donate.