ROCKINGHAM – The Rockingham Fire Department is showing its support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members kick off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger.
Continuing a more than 60 year tradition, dedicated fire fighters from Rockingham Fire Department will hit be out with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on Friday, May 4th, Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Rockingham.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Rockingham Fire Department for another year of Fill the Boot to help provide the funds needed to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility,” said Associate Executive Director, Lisa Swicegood. “The dedication of these fire fighters to MDA’s mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill the Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for the kids and adults in our local community. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.”
Funds raised through the Rockingham Fill the Boot campaign will help empower families who inspire everyday Americans to help kids and adults with Muscular dystrophy and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger, displaying how we all can truly live unlimited no matter what limits we may face.
Contributions also help fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the Carolinas Neuromuscular MDA/ALS Care Center in Charlotte. They also help send more than 60 local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at Camp Bethelwoods – all at no cost to their families.
In addition to Fill the Boot drives, fire fighter contributions from year-round local events, including MDA Muscle Walk, galas and Summer Camp, help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.
MDA and Firefighter Partnership
As MDA’s largest national partner, firefighters fuel MDA’s mission to find research breakthroughs across diseases; care for kids and adults from day one; and provide families with services and support.
Firefighter support for MDA began in 1954 and their unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The firefighters raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and fire fighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2017, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $24 million. To date firefighters have raised $630 million for MDA.
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.
Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.
Editor’s note: It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format, as it was received, with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.
