Firefighters fill the boot for muscular dystrophy

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Fire Department helped raise money from the heavy traffic over the weekend for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Fill The Boot is a nation–wide fundraiser through the International Association of Firefighters that started over 50 years ago. The city of Marquette has been participating for the past 15 years with great success, raising close to 15,000 dollars per year. This year they exceeded their expectations.

“It’s nice that we can get out,” said Marquette Firefighters Local 643 Dan Pruner, “it’s something local that we can do and get the community involved with all of the cars passing by. We’ve had great support from the community, great support from the membership the local, and the duty crew. The city supports us by letting us come out here. We get commissioner support, city manager support and they come out and help us on the street corners. It’s a good event, it gets everybody out and we’re all happy to do it.”

All of the money raised from the donations at the intersections goes straight to the MDA to help people with Muscular Dystrophy.

“The MDA sends people like me to camp. It raises money for families who have family members with Muscular Dystrophy,” said MDA Camper George Greogory, “they help raise money to cure it and they’re really great about it.”

At this time Muscular Dystrophy, a group of diseases that causes weakened muscles and loss of muscle mass does not have a cure. But the money helps those with it and their families live a better life while the search for a cure continues.

“I’m really thankful, because I see my friends at camp every year and I hope that one day I can be cured,” added Gregory, “to everyone out there who has donated money, thanks.”

If you didn’t get a chance to help fill the boot and would like to make a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, click here.