Burrillville ‘Fill-the-Boot’ drive this week

BURRILLVILLE — The Burrillville Fire Department L4968 is showing its support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members kick off the annual Fill-the-Boot fund-raising campaign to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger.

Continuing a more than 60-year tradition, dedicated firefighters from the Burrillville Fire Department L4968 will hit the streets with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on Friday, Aug. 17, from 2 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, at the intersection of Broncos Highway at Inman Road and Victory Highway.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Burrillville Fire Department L4968 for another year of Fill-the-Boot to help provide the funds needed to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility,” said MDA Exec- utive Director Dana Nolan. “The dedication of these fire fighters to MDA’s mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill-the-Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for the kids and adults in Burrillville. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.”

Funds raised through Burrillville L4968 Fill-the-Boot events in 2018 empower families who inspire everyday Americans to help kids and adults with Muscular dystrophy and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger, displaying how they all can truly live unlimited no matter what limits they may face.

Contributions also help fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. They also help send more than 100 local kids to “the best week of the year” at the 2018 MDA summer camp at Camp Hemlocks in Amston, Connecticut – all at no cost to their families.

In addition to Fill-the-Boot drives, firefighter contributions from year-round local events, including softball tournaments, galas and golf tournaments, help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

MDA and IAFF partnership

As MDA’s largest national partner, the IAFF fuels MDA’s mission to find research breakthroughs across diseases; care for kids and adults from day one; and provide families with services and support.

IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization’s unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and firefighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2017, more than 100,000 firefighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $24 million. To date the IAFF has raised $630 million for MDA.