The Muscular Dystrophy Association locked up 31 Newton County residents at The Oaks Golf Course Wednesday as part of their annual fundraiser.

Program Coordinator Leigh Varnadoe reported a final donation of $40,048, which the jailbirds raised from corporate and personal sponsors to post their "bail."

Newton County jailbirds raised more money this year than the 45 Conyers residents, who raised $33,777 on April 10 at the Whistle Post Tavern.

Varnadoe said each group raised significantly more money than last year's combined total of $35,000.

District Director JaQuan Jackson said every dollar raised will go toward supporting the MDA Clinic at Emory, the children's clinic at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the MDA summer camp at Camp Twin Lakes as well as funding vital research.

"Thanks to the generous citizens of Covington, 60 kids will have the chance to attend MDA's Camp Walk-n-Roll in 2008," Jackson said. "In addition, the Covington community will provide over 600 minutes of research necessary to finding a cure.

"With this community's support, the 30 MDA clients living in Covington have new hope."