Firefighters helping MDA by filling their boots with money
Apr 11, 2014, 5:00 AM | Updated: 5:00 am
PHOENIX — Valley firefighters will be trying to fill their boots with money starting Friday.
It’s the Fill the Boot drive to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
“Firefighters will be (at) the front of Fry’s stores with the actual boots that they use to fight fires, and will be asking patrons to make a donation to help support the local Arizona Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association,” said MDA Fundraising Coordinator Tina Wadham.
This is the 60th year of the boot drive, which has raised $650,000 in Arizona since 2009. The goal this year is to match last year’s total of $150,000.
The money funds research to find a cure for muscular dystrophy. It also provides equipment for patients, and pays for a summer camp for kids in Payson.
Some of the money goes to the patients themselves.
“We provide our clients with $500 per year to help repair their durable medical equipment, including things like wheelchairs,” Wadham said.
Firefighters will hit the streets to start collecting donations around the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix Friday afternoon. They will also be outside of various Fry’s Food and Drug stores collecting money for the next three Saturdays.
To find out when the firefighters will be collecting money at a Fry’s store in your area, call the Muscular Dystrophy Association at (480)-753-9084.
