Orange County Fire Authority Firefighters Hold Fill the Boot Drives for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

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Partnership Between the IAFF and MDA

Since 1954 the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).  The IAFF is the single largest organizational sponsor of the MDA, having donated approximately $275 million to date as of 2008.  Each year professional firefighters across the United States and Canada collect donations at busy intersections in their communities through "Fill the Boot" Drives, and in 2008 alone members of the IAFF raised approximately $28 million.

IAFF Local 3631's Fill the Boot Drive

With Jerry Lewis' annual Labor Day telethon approaching, firefighters across the nation are hitting the streets in full force to collect for "Jerry's Kids".  One group of firefighters, IAFF Local 3631 of the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), which services communities throughout Orange County, California, recently held their "Fill the Boot Drive", with firefighters stationed at intersections in nine cities over a two day period.  According to Captain Greg McKeown, the Orange County Fire Authority's Public Information Officer, all of the firefighters who participated where either off duty donating their personal time to the cause or they were on-duty and available to respond to calls.

Present at one of the locations in San Clemente, California, was Courtney Smith, a 12-year old local spokesperson for the MDA.  Courtney was all smiles as she greeted motorists and bicyclists and was very appreciative of their donations.  She explained that in addition to funding important research, these donations provide some patients with needed care and equipment, and it allows her and other children suffering from Muscular Dystrophy to attend summer camp.  She says, "I really like going to summer camp.  It's fun.  I get experiences with other kids that are just like me."

According to Courtney James, an MDA Program Coordinator who was a liaison at the OCFA Fill the Boot Drives, the Orange County Fire Authority's goal for 2009 was to raise $60,000.  The previous year, they had raised a little over $23,000 without the full participation of the fire department.  This year, however, every battalion was able to participate, and after the two day effort, they had raised $62,920, surpassing their goal.

Captain McKeown explains that the firefighters and paramedics collect the donations, however, liaisons from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, such as Courtney James, are present at each location, and these liaisons take the money from the boots as it is being collected.  The MDA representatives handle the money from there, keeping the firefighters out of the money handling process.

Captain McKeown is proud of the International Association of Firefighters' involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and is happy that his firefighters are able to participate, saying, "It's a really good opportunity for firefighters to get out in the public and work with a good charity, the MDA, and help "Jerry's Kids".

On behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Courtney James expresses the organization's gratitude to firefighters throughout the country, saying, "Thank you to all of the firefighters across the United States that are participating.  You are really making a difference in the lives of the families that MDA serves, and we couldn't do it without you.  Thank you."

Related Video

To find out more about the history of the partnership between the International Association of Firefighters and the Muscular Dystrophy Association and to watch a video about another fire department's Fill the Boot Drive, click here.