A warrant is out for the arrest of hundreds of people in Bismarck. These people have unlimited phone calls to raise their minimum bail of $750.

They have been charged with helping the March of Dimes mission to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

On Wednesday, the 690 people arrested in Bismarck so far will be serving their sentences at the March of Dimes Jail and Bail event. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., jailbirds will enjoy refreshments at Famous Dave's while they call family, friends and co-workers to raise their bail for babies.

"It's one of those cheesy, fun events that raises money for a good cause," said Ashley Gerner, March of Dimes community director.

Participants can register online, by calling the March of Dimes North Dakota chapter or by showing up at the event. Once arrested, participants are fingerprinted, have a mug shot taken and are held in "jail" for the duration of the event.

Jodie Hebl of Grand Forks got involved with the March of Dimes this year. She participated in a march for babies at the Ralph Engelstad Arena with a team, and recently completed the Grand Forks Jail and Bail held at the Texas Roadhouse.

"It's fun to have a theme instead of your normal 'please donate money to me,'" Hebl said. "They take pictures of you in a black and white jumpsuit, jailor hat and handcuffs."

Hebl raised $1,080 online for the Jail and Bail event and hasn't received the amount of donations she raised at the event, but said it was at least $300 dollars.

"It's not about how much you're donating; it's about the fact that you're donating," Hebl said. "A dollar adds up after a while, and it's appreciated."

Hebl participated in the Jail and Bail in honor of her son, Cannon Bear, and his friends. Cannon was born on Feb. 1, 2008, in a complicated birth. The pregnancy was normal, but mid-birth Hebl started having chest pains, and Cannon's heart rate dropped dramatically.

"My uterus ruptured and the placenta detached," Hebl said, "leaving him in the uterus without oxygen for 10 minutes."

Cannon was on a ventilator in the NICU for four hours. He was on a CPAP machine for about seven days because he had trouble breathing; doctors noticed seizure-like activity in his brain due to the lack of oxygen he suffered, and he was gastronomy-tube fed because he couldn't suck or swallow from a bottle.

"He was very delayed; he didn't roll over and had trouble holding his head up," Hebl said, "but he learned to smile and giggle and was a happy baby for everything he went through."

Cannon Bear passed away on Nov. 16, 2008. Now, Hebl works in infant therapy, helping families with special needs children from birth to age 3.

"(Cannon's) family is still supporting him and doing things in honor of him," Hebl said. "Little kiddos' needs get overlooked because they can't voice their concerns; it's up to us to take care of them and advocate for them."

The March of Dimes holds Jail and Bail events throughout the country. It has been in North Dakota for seven to 10 years, said Gerner. Last year, participants raised $150,000 at the Bismarck event.

For more information or to register online for the Jail and Bail event, go to www.marchofdimes.com/jailandbail.