Elgin firefighters set to ‘Fill the Boot’ for MDA
From Staff reports July 30, 2012 1:20PM
Firefighters from the Elgin Fire Department Local# 439 will be taking part in the annual “Fill the Boot” national campaign. All proceeds from the ‘boot drive’ will benefit local adults and children that are affected by any of the 43 neuromuscular diseases
Updated: September 2, 2012 6:03AM
This month, there will be plenty of opportunities for Elgin motorists and community members to “Fill the Boot” as local firefighters station themselves at intersections to collect donations benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Firefighters from Elgin Fire Department Local 439 will be taking part in the annual “Fill the Boot” national campaign. All proceeds from the “boot drive” will benefit local adults and children who are affected by any of the 43 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA.
The department’s boot campaign will continue from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the next four Fridays — Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24.
The drives will take place at the intersections of Big Timber Road and McLean Boulevard, Highland Avenue and Route 31, and Summit and Liberty streets. The event will conclude Aug. 24 when the fire department wraps up the drive at the Jewel at 1660 Larkin Ave.
Last year, Elgin firefighters raised $20,212, and firefighters nationally raised more than $26 million for MDA research, equipment, programs, youth camps and more. This year, Elgin Local 439 has set its goal on having their best year to date, to beat $23,000. By hitting this goal, they would remain among the top five local departments fundraising in the state that Fill the Boot to benefit MDA.
“We would like to thank the Elgin citizens, and the surrounding towns, for always supporting our Fill the Boot efforts,” said Mike Troiani, firefighter from Elgin Fire Department Local 439. “Our department would not be able to help MDA eradicate neuromuscular diseases without their generous donations.”
Local 439 not only participates in MDA’s Fill the Boot program but also visits MDA kids at a local summer camp in June and helps “arrest local business leaders” for MDA’s Lock Up Event.
“The department’s efforts go above and beyond; we are happy and proud to partner with them throughout the year,” said MDA fundraising coordinator Allison Gronski. “Their presence at MDA camp impacts the experiences the kids are having and is always the favorite day of the week. It’s also with the help of the local community members that show together we can fight back against muscle disease.”
MDA is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.
In addition to funding more than 330 research teams worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; orchestrates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and facilitates local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases.
