GARLAND Fire F ighters Support MDA with Annual Fill the Boot Drive

The Garland Fire Department and the Garland Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1293 are showing its support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

(MDA) as its members 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 a more than 60 year tradition, 254 dedicated fire fighters from Garland Fire Department and the Garland Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1293 will hit the streets or storefronts with boots in hand asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA the next three Fridays, March 23rd, March 30th and April 6th.

Online donations can be made at https://filltheboot.donordrive.com/team/Garland2018.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Garland Fire Department and the Garland Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1293 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,” said Executive Director, Jenny Hanie. “The dedication of these fire fighters to MDA’s mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill the Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for the kids and adults in Garland. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.” Funds raised through Garland Fill the Boot event in 2018 empower families who inspire everyday Americans to help kids and adults with Muscular dystrophy and related muscle-debilitating diseases live longer and grow stronger, displaying how we all can truly live unlimited no matter what limits we may face. 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 Centers at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Neurology, P.A., University of Texas, Southwestern and Neurology Associates of Arlington. They also help sendmore than  100 local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at Camp John Marc–all at no cost to their families.

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 support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamationto support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization’s unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and fire fighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2017, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $24 million. To date the IAFF has raised $630 million for MDA. About the IAFF—The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional fire fighters 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—fromthe harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take awayphysical strength, independence and life.We use our 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.-MDA-