Local fire fighters help ‘Fill the Boot’ effort
Jul. 2, 2014 PLYMOUTH EAGLE.
Plymouth Michigan News
More than 10 members of the Plymouth Township Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 1496 raised $2,146 during the annual Fill the Boot drive May 30.
Plymouth Township Fire Department employees stood in front of the local Kroger and Busch’s stores greeting customers and raising funds to help local families affected by Muscular Dystrophy.
“For six decades, fire fighters have fueled MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases, and this year’s Plymouth Township Fill the Boot results are a perfect example of the true dedication Local 1496 has toward sup- porting the families we serve,” said Executive Director Robin R. Rhea. “We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who provide life-saving help that will fund research, advocate for children and adults affected by muscle dis- ease, and rally our community to fight back.”
Funds raised through 2014 Plymouth Township Fill the Boot event will help sup- port MDA programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to- day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Camp Cavell in Lexington, MI.
As the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s largest national sponsor, the IAFF fuels MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases.
The IAFF is a major contributing sponsor of the MDA Show of Strength Telethon, and IAFF contributions from charity base- ball games and other local events help sup- port MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.
IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found.. 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 2013, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $26.2 million. To date the IAFF has raised $530 million for MDA.
The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.
Plymouth Voice.
