NORFOLK, Neb. -- Forget bake sales and car washes—the Norfolk Senior Center just turned fundraising on its head! Some of Norfolk's most familiar faces found themselves "locked up" recently, all in the name of a good cause.

The Norfolk Area Big Give got a whole lot more interesting this year as local celebrities volunteered to be "arrested" and placed behind bars, all to benefit the Senior Center. The burning question was: How would they charm, persuade, or maybe even bribe the community to set them free?

Residents were willing to voluntarily turn themselves in and help bring in donations to support programs at Norfolk's Senior Center.

According to Norfolk Senior Center Volunteer Margo Chenowetch, each "inmate" had a mission: "Each person had to raise $1,000 before they could be let go, or sit and wait for two hours—whichever came first. So each one had to raise $1,000 by calling friends, family, and associates, or whoever they thought would help them make bail to get out."

The Senior Center is a vital part of the community, serving not only seniors but also providing after-school care for kids. Chenowetch emphasized that the money raised covers more than people realize.

"The Norfolk Senior Center provides a gathering place for like-minded individuals of all ages. In addition to such individuals enjoying time together, some of the goals of the program from its beginning are to provide at least one healthy meal per day through the Meals on Wheels program."

Chenowetch added, "The state does give some assistance with Meals on Wheels; however, it does not begin to cover the cost of the meals. If somebody can't afford to pay or just doesn't want to, they don't have to. They still get a meal. We are not allowed to turn anyone down, nor would we even consider it. So that's a really important program, and we need a way to keep it going.”

The center also plays a crucial role in preventing loneliness, encouraging friendships, and improving emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being through community involvement.