Beginning today through the end of June, Southlake Firefighters will be pulling double duty for a great cause! The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Fill-the-Boot campaign kicked off this morning with firefighters hitting the streets with boots in hand.
The Southlake Fire Department is proud to have a long tradition of participating in the MDA campaign. Over the years, firefighters have raised tens-of-thousands of dollars thanks to your generous donations. It’s important to note that all of the money collected will serve the greater Tarrant County area. Your donations will help fund research for MDA; provide medical equipment; motorized chairs for children; and a week at the MDA Summer Camp for kids. The summer camp allows children with neuromuscular diseases the opportunity to just have fun and be a kid with other kids like them. The camp provides parents with peace of mind knowing their children are in great hands with caregivers who are dedicated health professionals and trained camp volunteers. It also gives parents an opportunity to spend special time with the camper’s siblings.
The Southlake Fire Department is honored to be a part of the MDA Fill-the-Boot campaign and to be able to give back in such a positive way. Fire Chief Mike Starr says, “The relationship between firefighters and MDA reaches far beyond Fill-the-Boot. Over the years, several Southlake Firefighters have participated as camp counselors and they have inspired other firefighters to sign up for the MDA summer camp.”
Southlake residents have always been so generous with their donations. Because of you, firefighters have collected nearly $30,000.00 in years past reaching $33,327.29 in 2014. Every dollar counts.
If you would like more information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or information on how you can get involved – you can find all the information you need at MDA.
For more information about Fill-the-Boot in Southlake, please contact Renni Burt at 817-748-8106.
David Bussiere posing with Southlake Fire Department
UPDATE August 16, 2013: The Southlake Fire Department wants to thank the traveling public for their contributions to the Southlake Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Fill the Boot Campaign. More than $28,900 was raised this year. This year’s MDA telethon will take place Sunday, September 1, 2013 on ABC TV.
Once again, members of Southlake Department of Public Safety (DPS) will take to the streets collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). This annual fundraising event, known as Fill-the-Boot, will take place July 15-17 at the east end of Southlake Boulevard and July 22-24 at the west end of Southlake Boulevard.
With boots in hand, fire fighters from Southlake Stations 1 and 2 will man intersections seeking donations of any amount to donate to this important cause. In 2012, Southlake DPS collected $29,150, coming in ninth out of 51 cities that participated throughout Dallas Fort Worth. On a statewide level, Texas fire fighters ranked #1, raising more than $3 million in 2012.
Southlake DPS has taken the Fill-the-Boot campaign to heart, thanks in part to David Bussiere, a three-year-old Southlake boy diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at 19-months-old. David’s family has received tremendous support from MDA and they are optimistic that a cure will be found.
David and the Bussiere family
Fill-the Boot is a 59-year-old tradition that takes place across the nation with thousands of fire fighters. In 2012, fire fighters were the number one non-corporate sponsor of MDA. Funds raised from the Fill-the-Boot campaign are used to provide medical equipment and repairs, send children with neuromuscular disease to summer camp, and research to find treatments
The relationship between fire fighters and MDA reaches far beyond Fill-the-Boot. Fire fighters have participated in camp as counselors over the years, quickly becoming role models for the countless children living with neuromuscular diseases. Their willingness to give their time makes a lifelong impact.
Please help Southlake DPS Fill-the-Boot this month!