Giving Muscular Dystrophy 'The Boot'

Giving Muscular Dystrophy 'The Boot'

By Marla Jones, Reporter • marla@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Saturday, August 4, the Fort Payne Fire Department kicked off their ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign at Five Points.

In the past, fire fighters have set up at the World’s Longest Yard Sale at Five Points and collected around $1,500 to $2,000 during this time.

This campaign specifically goes toward the fight against muscular dystrophy. According to the Mayo Clinic, muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Abnormal genes interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.

“I’ve been to their summer camp,” said Fort Payne Fire Chief Ron Saferite. “The kids would rather be at the summer camp than have Christmas. The looks on their faces are unreal.”

According to mda.org, the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Fill The Boot program allows fire fighters the opportunity to go above and beyond their call of duty. Each year, more than 100,000 fire fighters hit the streets asking citizens in their community to make a donation to MDA, helping them fill their boot with contributions.

The Fort Payne Fire Department will be taking up donations throughout the month of August. This week, they will taking contributions toward the cause at Walmart. The Fire Department will conclude this month of donations with their annual Poker Run, beginning at 12pm, kickstands up at 1pm, and concluding at the Fourth Saturday Bike Night in the Civitan Park.

If you see a fire fighter asking for contributions to this great cause during the month of August, drop in what you can to help fill the boot.