Firefighters "Fill The Boot" for MDA

The Muscular Dystrophy Association of San Francisco needed a little lift and got it last week when Ross Valley and Marin County firefighters chipped in with a significant donation to the group’s “Fill The Boot” campaign.

During two 4-hour time slots last week soliciting at the Hub in San Anselmo, the firefighters were able to raise $7,315 bringing the group’s grand total to more than $40,000 for the 2012 fundraising season.

“Our success is due to the wonderful travelers and residents of Marin County,” said Bob Briare, president of the Marin Professional Firefighters, Local 1775, International Association of Firefighters. “On behalf of our firefighters, we thank all of you who contributed to MDA “Fill the Boot.”

Firefighters from the Ross Valley Fire Department and Marin County helped fill the boots on Wednesday, Aug. 29.

The donation effort last week helped the firefighters bring in a record amount of $44,500 this year for MDA and their families.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association helps children and adults who are affected by more than 43 different types of neuromuscular diseases. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has been one of the association’s strongest supporters.

The Marin County firefighters have participated in a county-wide effort to raise money each year for MDA, which provides services for Bay Area families affected by the muscle disease.

Last year, Local 1775 raised $31,725 for MDA.

MDA also funds innovative worldwide research and assists clients with the purchase of durable equipment such as wheelchairs, leg braces and other medical equipment.

Local clinics and camps that benefit from the fundraising include University of California-San Francisco, California Pacific Medcal Center and Stanford University.

The association has raised almost $300 million since 1954.