Island firefighters to hold Fill-the-Boot fundraiser Friday

Mercer Island firefighters will participate in the annual Fill-the-Boot fundraising campaign this Friday, July 17, at the intersection of Island Crest Way and S.E. 40th Street. Firefighters will stand at the intersection from 7 to 11 a.m. and ask motorists to drop donations into their boots to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Last year, the International Association of Firefighters raised over $26 million for MDA, making the grand total for the 55-year tradition close to $167 million. Firefighters have been volunteering their time — and boots — to help children and adults with muscle-deteriorating diseases since 1954.

This is Mercer Island's second year working with MDA on the Fill-the-Boot campaign. Last year, the department was able to raise almost $7,000. Proceeds raised during the streetside campaign will help support MDA services and research programs, including transportation services, support groups and local clinics.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. The majority of contributions to MDA come from individual donors. MDA maintains clinics for area adults and children affected by neuromuscular diseases at Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical Center.

For more information about Fill-the-Boot or other MDA programs, contact Shelli Kind at (425) 283-0730 or mkind@mdausa.org.

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