The Dalton Fire Department is showing its support for 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, more than a hundred dedicated fire fighters from the Dalton Fire Department will hit the streets or storefronts with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on Sept. 8, and Sept. 15, throughout the county.
“We are thrilled to be working with the Dalton Fire Department 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 Executive Director Abby Ruffner. “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 Dalton. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.”
Funds raised through Dalton’s 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 the MDA Care Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Emory’s ALS Center and Emory’s General Care Center. They also help send nearly 100 local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at Camp Twin Lakes – all at no cost to their families.
Through Fill the Boot drives, fire fighter contributions help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.