Escambia Academy Principal Betty Warren joined a cellblock full of Atmore community leaders in the city jail Thursday afternoon and each “inmate” relied on help from local residents and businesses to spring them from the “big house.”

The rash of arrests are all part of this year’s United Fund drive kickoff. Atmore police officers kept busy around town all day making “arrests,” and each temporary prisoner  remained in custody until they each raised $1,000 in bail money to benefit the United Fund.

United Fund Vice President Lee Ann Allen said the kickoff to the 2011-12 fundraising drive was a huge success.

“We raised around $28,300,” Allen said. “We did better than we expected. It was a really great day.”

This year the United Fund’s overall goal is $60,000.

The United Fund uses the funds raised to support local agencies including: American Red Cross; Friends of Education of Escambia County, Ala.; Atmore Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Baseball; Atmore Pee Wee football; Atmore Tee Ball league; Escambia County Cooperative Library System; Atmore Public Library; Greater Escambia Council for the Arts; Atmore YMCA; Atmore Girls Softball; Concerned Citizens of Atmore; Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry; and Hospitality House Ministry.