ROCKINGHAM — Rockingham firefighters are showing their support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as they kick off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger.
Continuing an annual tradition, dedicated Rockingham firefighters will hit the streets or storefronts with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA on May 5, 6 and 7 at the Rockingham Walmart from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are thrilled to be working with Rockingham Firefighters for another year of Fill the Boot to help provide the funds needed to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility,” Lisa Swicegood, associate executive director, MDA Charlotte said in a statement. “The dedication of these firefighters to MDA’s mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill the Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for local kids and adults. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive another huge success.”
Funds raised through Rockingham’s Fill the Boot events in 2017 will help empower families, who inspire everyday Americans, to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger.
Contributions also help fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and care centers, including the MDA Care Center in Charlotte. They also help send more than 60 local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at Camp Bethelwoods in York, South Carolina — all at no cost to their families.
In addition to Fill the Boot drives, firefighter contributions from year-round local events include help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.
As MDA’s largest national partner, firefighters fuel MDA’s mission to find research breakthroughs across diseases; care for kids and adults from day one; and provide families with services and support. Firefighters have partnered with MDA for more than 60 years.