Time Again to 'Fill-the-Boot' for Muscular Dystrophy

Beginning today and continuing until Friday evening MCFRS will support International Association of FireFighters (IAFF) Local 1664 with it's efforts to collect for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

County Executive Leggett makes the first contribution 

The effort was kicked off yesterday at our Fire Station #34 with a contribution from County Executive Leggett as well as a Proclamation presented by Mr. Leggett to Fire Chief Scott Goldstein and IAFF Local 1664 President Jeff Buddle.
 
Thanks to the residents (and commuters) in Montgomery County, MCFRS is the leading Fill the Boot IAFF contributor in the Maryland and consistently has been one of the top contributors in the Country.  In the 30 year history of MCFRS supporting MDA, IAFF Career Fire Fighters Local 1664 has raised about $2.5 million!

So if you see our Firefighters out in the community over the next three days, please consider making a donation to help the cause.

All monies raised through “Fill the Boot” stays locally in the metro area to help support families dealing with neuromuscular diseases by providing research, wheelchairs, clinic treatments and most importantly allowing children to MDA Summer Camp for 1 week.

History of Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters and MDA

• Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, Local 1664, joined the fight against the more
  
  than 40 neuromuscular diseases by holding its first “Fill the Boot” campaign in 1984. 


• Since the first Fill the Boot campaign in 1984 till 2006 Montgomery County Fire Fighters would donate their “off duty” time for 3 days prior to the Labor Day weekend to conduct “Fill the Boot” at various intersections around Montgomery County. During this period Local 1664 raised $783,452.00. 


• In 2007, thanks to the efforts from Past President John Sparks, Past Fire Chief Tom Carr and then Division Chief Ritchie Bowers along with the support of County Executive Ike Leggett career fire fighters were given permission to participate in “Fill the Boot” while on duty. During the period from 2007 to 2014 Local 1664 has raised, $1,540,842.00


• Local 1664 is the largest contributing IAFF Local in the state of Maryland for MDA.  


• In 2007 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 5 in the country collecting over $234,000. 


• In 2008 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 9 in the country collecting over $206,000.


• In 2009 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 4 in the country collecting a record $254,102.


• In 2014 Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters placed # 10 in the country collecting over $194,000.00. 


• In the 30 year history of Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters supporting the MDA, Local 1664 has raised $2,324,294.00


• Local 1664 also supports MDA by attending MDA Summer Camp in Leonardtown, MD. During Summer Camp, Montgomery County Fire Fighters bring a fire engine to camp for kids to tour and the Locals “Beef Brothers” provide dinner to approximately 150 children and counselors. 

Firefighters Raises Over $196K for MDA

Every year around Labor Day, MCFRS personnel participate in the Fill the Boot campaign to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  This year was no different as over a three day period last week firefighters, when not responding to emergency calls, were out in force at various intersections collecting donations from a lot of very generous people.   

According to Master Fire Fighter Donnie Simmons, who heads up the effort for International Association of Firefighters Local 1664, approximately $196,101.00 was raised for this worthy cause! 

None of this would be possible without the generosity displayed by our wonderful County residents!  THANK YOU!

Fire Station 24 B-Shift (photo courtesy of L-1664)

Firefighters Want to Give Muscular Dystrophy the Boot

Annual Three-Day ‘Fill the Boot’ Fundraising Campaign Kicks Off

Montgomery County, MD  - - - Montgomery County Firefighters will be involved in a different kind of life-saving activity when they hit the streets Wednesday as the 2012 “Fill the Boot” Campaign, an annual tradition across the country, kicks off to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Teams of firefighters will have boots in hand for three days raising money for the MDA in hopes of speeding research into debilitating neuromuscular diseases and serving the needs of children and adults with muscular dystrophy. Money raised through the annual “Fill the Boot” campaign stays locally and is used to help support approximately 400 families in Montgomery County afflicted with neuromuscular diseases. 

Last year, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) raised nearly 28 million for MDA, making the grand total for the 57-year tradition over $455 million.  In the 28-year history of Montgomery County Fire Fighters supporting the MDA, Montgomery County Fire Fighters have raised almost $1,790,000.00 and have consistently ranked in the top three of all fire departments in the Washington Metropolitan area. Montgomery County Fire Fighters have ranked as high as fourth in the country, raising over $254,000 in 2009. Beginning Wednesday, firefighters will be fanned out in intersections across the County and joining forces with the MDA to raise money as this charitable organization strives to eradicate neuromuscular disease.  Firefighters will remain in their normal response areas and will be available for emergencies and immediate dispatch. This year’s goal takes on significant meaning as firefighters are just over $210,000 away from raising $2 million collected for this important cause since the County began participating in 1984.

Proceeds raised during the campaign will help support MDA’s local services and research programs, including a week long summer camp for kids, support groups, and local clinics. MDA is a volunteer health agency working to defeat more than 40 forms of Muscular Dystrophy, including ALS and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Every donation makes a difference. Please join us in giving generously and support the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue thanks you for your support and asks that you please slow down for safety when you encounter a “Fill the Boot” intersection. To make a donation if you can’t get by any of the ‘Fill the Boot’ intersections, please stop by any Montgomery County Fire Station to make your donation.