Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service

An Internationally Accredited Public Safety Agency

NEWS ADVISORY
Steven E. Lohr, Fire Chief
Public Safety Headquarters, 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878

Assistant Chief Scott Graham

Phone: 240-876-1260

Media Line: 240-777-2442

@MCFirePIO

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 4, 2013

Firefighters Honored to Help Give Muscular Dystrophy the Boot

Annual Three-Day Fill the Boot Fundraising Campaign Raises over $196,101.00 Montgomery County, MD - - - Montgomery County Firefighters were involved in a different kind of life-saving activity last week when they participated in the 2013 Fill the Boot Campaign, an annual tradition across the country with proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Over the course of three days, teams of firefighters helped raise money for the MDA in hopes of speeding research into debilitating neuromuscular diseases and serving the needs of children and adults with muscular dystrophy. Money raised through the annual Fill the Boot campaign stays locally and is used to help support approximately 400 families in Montgomery County afflicted with neuromuscular diseases. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which has been raising funds for MDA since 1954, raised over $26 million for MDA this year. In the 29-year history of Montgomery County Firefighters supporting the MDA, firefighters have raised over $2 million and have consistently ranked in the top three of all fire departments in the Washington Metropolitan area. Montgomery County Firefighters have ranked as high as fourth in the country, raising over $254,000 in 2009. Proceeds raised during the campaign support MDAs local services and research programs, including a week long summer camp for kids, support groups, and local clinics. MDA is a volunteer health agency working to defeat more than 40 forms of Muscular Dystrophy, including ALS and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. Every donation makes a difference and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue thanks all who generously supported this years Fill the Boot campaign. ###