The Los Angeles Fire Department is holding its annual event that raises funds for those suffering from neuromuscular diseases.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles City Fire Department are participating in the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), an organization dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy, ALS, as well as other related diseases. Fill the Boot is a three-day event that collects proceeds to benefit MDA’s programs including clinics, summer camps, and funding scientific research.
On April 19th, 20th and 21th, firefighters will be stationed at various street corners in Los Angeles holding out their boots to collect proceeds to benefit the MDA. The Los Angeles City Firefighter’s have set their goal at $250,000. Last year, the Los Angeles Fire Department raised $201,000 one boot at a time. Firefighters all across the United States participate in Fill-the-boot programs, last year in California alone, firefighters raised over $2 million.
MDA recieves support from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and non-Union fire departments nationwide. The joining of MDA and the IAFF began in 1952, and MDA became the IAFF’s “charity of choice” shortly after. The IAFF has since became MDA’s single-largest sponsor, collecting more than $350 million to benefit MDA.
MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. Along with MDA’s funding of research, MDA maintains about 230 clinics nationwide. MDA’s programs are funding almost entirely by individual private contributors.
For more information on Fill-the-Boot or any other MDA programs please contact Erin Kelly in the Los Angeles office at (310) 390-6802 or ekelly@mdausa.org.
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