By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Saturday, September 26, the Fort Payne Fire Department and the Wills Town Rats hosted their annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Bike night. 

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle. The Fort Payne Fire Department usually has several boot drives to raise money but due to the coronavirus, the events had been canceled.   

The MDA annual fundraiser event was kicked off with a motorcycle ride with over 40 cyclists. After the ride, the event at the Fort Payne Rotary Pavillion, which included cornhole tournaments and a performance by Still Kickin’, raised almost $5400 for MDA.  

“I would like to thank the CIty of Fort Payne, Ronnie Osborn and Still Kickin’, and all the ones who came out to make this such a great event,” said Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite. “I would also like to thank our sponsors for donating to MDA.”

The 2020 MDA Ride sponsors include: Accel Graphics, Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Builders Supply, DeKalb Parts, First Fidelity, First State Bank, Jenn Cruse, My Supply, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Southern Torch, South Y Auto Repair, 24/7 Towing, Bobby Ledbetter, Twin City, Westmoreland Tire, Sally's Smokin' Butts, and Wingstop.

 If you were unable to attend the bike night event and would like to make a donation to the Fort Payne Fire MDA fundraiser, send a check to Fort Payne Fire MDA, located at 200 14th Street NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967.