During the 2018 MDA Fill the Boot campaign, the Wichita Falls Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local 0432 took to the streets to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases live longer and grow stronger.
From March 1-3, nearly $60,000 was raised to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Greeting drivers at various intersections around Wichita Falls, the firefighters collected $59,093.
“The firefighters of the Wichita Falls Fire Fighters Association have once again shown their immense dedication and care for MDA’s families during this year’s Fill the Boot campaign,” said MDA Rep. Fundraising Coordinator Nikki Garcia, in a press release.
“Many thanks to Travis Skelton for coordinating this year’s event for the fire fighters, which came close to breaking a record for most money raised in Wichita Falls during a Fill the Boot event. This year’s Fill the Boot was a success and we are grateful for the generosity of those in the Wichita Falls community who have helped individuals with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases truly live unlimited. Also, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to Corky Scarbrough, for his 16 years of service to MDA as the former Fill the Boot coordinator. Corky has dedicated his time and resources for the benefit of MDA and the families we serve in several capacities, and has always been a dependable and much beloved volunteer.”
Firefighters have taken part in MDA’s Fill the Boot tradition for more than 60 years, hitting the streets or storefronts asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA, joining the fight to find treatments and cures for devastating diseases that take away everyday abilities like walking, talking, hugging and even breathing.
In addition to Fill the Boot drives, fire fighter contributions help support MDA’s efforts to free individuals – and the families who love them – from the harm of neuromuscular diseases from year-round local events.
Funds raised help MDA’s efforts to fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. They also help send local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA Summer Camp at no cost to their families at Canyon Camp and Conference in Hinton, OK and Camp John Marc in Meridian, TX.
MDA and IAFF Partnership
As MDA’s largest national partner, the IAFF fuels MDA's mission to find research breakthroughs across diseases; care for kids and adults from day one; and provide families with services and support. IAFF’s support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization's unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. In 2017, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised more than $24 million. To date the IAFF has raised more than $630 million for MDA.
About the IAFF
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.
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America. Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.