The Roanoke City Fire Fighters and Professional Fire Fighters Association Local #1132 are supporting 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 Roanoke City and Professional Fire Fighters Association Local #1132 will hit the streets around Valley View Mall with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA all day on Saturday & Sunday, August 4-5.
Last year this collection raised over $10,000 for local MDA clients fighting muscle diseases including ALS! This year’s drive will take place during Virginia’s “Tax Free” weekend so fire fighters hope people will give generously.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Roanoke City Fire Department and Professional Fire Fighters Local #1132 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 Diane Boardman, Greater VA MDA Director of Business Development. “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 the Roanoke Valley and across SW & Central VA. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.”
Roanoke City Fill the Boot coordinator Caitlin Price has announced a goal of $12,000 for their 2018 drive and deeply appreciates all the fire fighters, police officers and others who volunteer their free time to help MDA families!
Funds raised through Roanoke Fill the Boot event in 2018 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 three MDA Care Centers at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke. They also help send some 60 local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at the Airfield 4-H Center – all at no cost to their families.
As MDA’s largest national partner, the IAFF fuels MDA’s mission to find research breakthroughs across diseases; care for kids and adults from day one; and provide families with services and support.
IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found. The organization’s unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The IAFF 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 the IAFF has raised $630 million for MDA.
