The Chattanooga Fire Department and the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association, Local 820, along with the Muscular Dystrophy Association will celebrate their 60-year partnership and kick off the firefighters' annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout the Chattanooga area. More than 370 firefighters will fan out across the city with boots in hand for this year’s drive on Sept. 11, 12, 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each day at various streets and intersections across the city.
“Throughout 2014 MDA and firefighters are celebrating 60 years of proud partnership, joined together in the fight against life-threatening muscle disease,” said MDA Area Director Holly Carroll.
“Firefighters dedicate countless hours of their time every year participating in Fill the Boot drives and other local events. We're grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who have made a profound impact on our families’ health, well-being and quality of life, and we're excited to make this year’s Fill the Boot campaign the most successful yet.”
Funds raised during the Chattanooga Fill the Boot event will help support MDA's programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a week-long, barrier-free MDA summer camp.
As the Muscular Dystrophy Association's largest national sponsor, firefighters fuel MDA's mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. Firefighters will be participating in Fill the Boot events across the country to celebrate the 60th anniversary between firefighters and the MDA.