Participants of United Way of Lake County’s Fourth Annual Jail & Bail Raise a Record $25,000+ to Support Local Programs
Mentor, OH (October 1, 2026) – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) hosted its fourth annual Jail & Bail Fundraiser on Friday, September 25, and participants raised a record $25,000+ in support of the organization’s work filling gaps in need through the funding of nonprofit programs critical to our community in the areas of youth opportunity, financial security, healthy community, and community resiliency.
Twenty-one “jailbirds” from Lake County businesses and organizations stepped up to support the cause. Each participant secured donations to either be jailed or bailed before all twenty-one were ultimately “arrested,” read their UWLC miranda rights, and placed on the paddy wagon, a Laketran “Jail Bus” driven by Laketran CEO Ben Capelle.
Among the “criminals” were Lake County Commissioners Morris Beverage III and Morgan McIntosh. Nine members of the Executive Business Network Chapter of BNI participated, including Tera Carlson of WyattWorks Plumbing, Heating, Air, Electrical, Tamantha Ford of Compass Payroll Services, Ryan Gilkerson of Ville City Branding, Scotty Marsh of Water Extraction Team (WET), Candace Obracay of Glass Doctor Cleveland, Bob Peters of Odd Job Bob Handyman Services, Justin Ramey of Flyt Productions, Phil Snyder of Goosehead Insurance, and Elliot Stone of The Stone Team – Century 21 Homestar. Additional “jailbirds” included Crystal Adams of Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance, Matt Burk of Burk Technology, Inc., Robb Frisby of the East End YMCA, Rachel Hanni of Lake Erie College, Jim Levine of Express Employment Professionals, Eric Lewis of Signature Health, Karen Martin of The Wellness Connection, Jeff Mottice of the Central YMCA, Dan Rowles of Lake County ADAMHS Board, and Kevin Sraj of the West End YMCA,
Adding to the mayhem, all of the convicts made a break for it when the Jail Bus pulled up in downtown Willoughby to arrest its next jailbird. The fugitives overtook the driver and scattered in all directions, making a mad dash for freedom. Fortunately, the sheriff quickly rallied the troops, rounded up the escapees and safely returned them to the Jail Bus.
“Raising more than $25,000 this year is an incredible testament to the generosity and enthusiasm of our community,” said UWLC President and CEO Dione DeMitro. “Year after year, we continue to see the momentum behind Jail & Bail grow, and it’s inspiring to watch so many people come together to support our neighbors in need. Every dollar raised helps us make a greater impact throughout Lake County, and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s event such a success.”
The bus tour of arrests wrapped up at Westel's Speakeasy & Cocktail Bar in downtown Willoughby, where the “convicts” were treated to a well-deserved final meal of pizza.