City and community leaders spent time behind bars Wednesday for a good cause, making calls to raise funds for needy families as part of the Brighter Christmas jail on 10th Street and Central Avenue.

“Inmates” at the jail tried to scrape together donations for their bail release from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while some of the jailed fundraisers pleaded with passing traffic along Central Avenue for help.

Bringing in the top donation total was 3-year-old Carly Abercrombie, who pulled in more than $6,000, exceeding her bail — set by her father Steve at $5,000.

The annual jail fundraiser brought in more than $15,000, which will go toward helping the 895 families who signed up for food and toys this year through the charity.

Before the final fundraising total was in for the day, Birk commented that donations have been especially hard to come by this year, and hoped that even more money might be donated in the days following the jail event.

Brighter Christmas food and toys will be distributed Dec. 22, a Thursday. Those who want to help can visit the website at www.tracybrighterchristmas.com.