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Marin Firefighters Raise $32,000 for MDA

on 22 June 2011.

Firefighters in Marin County do more than fight fires – during their time off, you may have seen them at locations across Marin “Filling their Boots” with donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On May 1, more than 70 off-duty Marin firefighters raised $32,000 in donations from drivers at seven intersections from Novato to Sausalito.  The donations, collected from passing motorists, will be used to research and treat a range of neuromuscular diseases collectively known as Muscular Dystrophy.

Fire Engineer Breanna Buchanan of the Marin County Fire Department is Local 1775's MDA "coordinator," and helped organize this year's fundraiser.  "The outpouring of support from the Marin community is fantastic.  Marin drivers recognize the MDA and 'Jerry's Kids' and are very generous," Buchanan said.  "Many of our Firefighters, and even a few Fire Chiefs, compete to see who can collect the most each year.  We have a close bond with the MDA and have met the children whose lives are affected by the disease."

The money raised in Marin stays in the county to help fund program services, including free clinic visits, assistance with the purchase and repairs of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices, physical, occupational, and respiratory therapy consultations, support groups, and a summer camp for children living with neuromuscular diseases.  The funds also help several ongoing research projects in search of improved treatments and cures.

Marin Firefighters adopted the "Fill The Boot" fundraiser as an annual event three years ago, and have raised more than $80,000 total.  The $32,000 collected from passing motorists in 2011 marks the biggest annual collection yet.

"As firefighters, we rely heavily on our physical well being and have a great understanding of the immense loss it would be to not have our physical ability or independence," Buchanan added.  "The MDA is the perfect cause for us to volunteer our time to. "Fill the Boot" is a chance for firefighters, in every department in Marin, to work together to help people regain the independence, strength and health."

The International Association of Firefighters, IAFF, is a labor union representing more than 230,000 professional firefighters in the US and Canada, with more than 400 members in Marin from every full-time fire department.  The IAFF is MDA's single largest sponsor, having raised more than $240 million since 1954.