Burlington, N.C. – During a check presentation ceremony held in the Burlington Municipal Building on Tuesday, December 17th, the Burlington Fire Department presented a check for $22,500 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The money was raised through a “Fill the Boot” campaign, coordinated for the fourth consecutive year by Burlington Fire Engineer Ricky Irby. Over the course of three weekends, 35 firefighters rotated shifts holding a fire boot out for donations from shoppers at the Burlington Khol’s and Burlington Wal-Mart on Garden Road.
“Fill the Boot Campaigns” are held by firefighters from departments around the country in support of the MDA, the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and other neuromuscular diseases. This year, the Burlington Fire Department held the most successful “Fill the Boot” fundraiser of any Department in a 17-county region, including Winston-Salem and High Point.
“We deeply appreciate the work firefighters in Burlington do for MDA,” said Executive Director, Brittne Stevens. “It makes a tremendous difference to all the people and families here who are living with muscle disease. They see these local American heroes going out to support them, and it tells them they have strong partners standing by their side. I think it is a comfort to know they aren’t fighting alone.”
Engineer Ricky Irby commented that “the success of this campaign rests solely in the generosity of the Burlington Community; they just give and give and give.” He added, “Our community never fails to step up when a need is recognized.”
In addition to funding some 300 research teams worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates support groups for families affected by neuromuscular disease; and provides free local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle disease. For more information, visit mda.org.