During the 2018 MDA Fill the Boot campaign, the dedicated members of the Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4416 took to the streets to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases live longer and grow stronger. Through Labor Day Weekend, $21,152 was raised to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Several Hamilton County firefighters participated in this year’s Fill the Boot campaign, including: John Huseman, Noblesville; Zack Flowers, Noblesville; Chris McClure, Noblesville; Tony Murray, Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4416 President; Chet Mills, Westfield; Kevin Livingston, Noblesville; Jason Maners, MDA Coordinator for Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4416; Gary Biggs, Westfield; Scott Wolfe, Westfield; Jeff Stephenson, Fishers; Michael Durall, Noblesville; and David Holloway, Noblesville. (Photo provided)
“The firefighters of Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4416 have once again shown their immense dedication and care for MDA’s families during this year’s Fill the Boot campaign,” said Executive Director Kelsey Buettner. “This year’s Fill the Boot was a success and we are grateful for the generosity of those in the Hamilton County community who have helped individuals with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases truly live unlimited.”
Tony Murray, President of Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 4416, said, “Our members believe in the importance of these efforts, the cause that it serves and the people that are affected.”
Firefighters have taken part in MDA’s Fill the Boot tradition for more than 60 years, hitting the streets or storefronts asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA, joining the fight to find treatments and cures for devastating diseases that take away everyday abilities like walking, talking, hugging and even breathing.
Funds raised help MDA’s efforts to fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at the Neuroscience Center at IU Health and Riley’s Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. They also help send more than 92 kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA Summer Camp at no cost to their families at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Ind.
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’s 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. In 2017, more than 100,000 firefighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised more than $24 million. To date the IAFF has raised more than $630 million for MDA.
About the IAFF
The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional firefighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.
About MDA
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals – and the families who love them – from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. MDA uses its collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases, caring for individuals from day one and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America. Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.