The North Collier Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Local 2297 and the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District Local 2396 are showing their continued support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) as its members finish their annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to raise critical funds to help transform the lives of kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases.

Continuing a 66-year tradition of giving strength to the MDA community, dedicated firefighters and paramedics from North Collier Professional Firefighters & Paramedics Local 2297 and Greater Naples Fire District Local 2396 will hit the streets with boots in hand asking motorists to make a donation to MDA on their final Saturday, February 29^th.  North Collier will be at the intersection of Vanderbilt Beach Road and Airport Pulling Road, Immokalee Firefighters at 1^st & Main in Immokalee and Greater Naples at the intersection of Davis Blvd. & Airport Pulling Road.

We are thrilled to be working with these Localsfor 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 Florida Territory Specialist, Cindy Nichols. “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 the kids and adults in Southwest Florida.  We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.”

Funds raised through the Fill the Boot events in 2020 will help the MDA save lives and lift those up in need, by providing the MDA with vital resources to advance their mission of driving innovations in science and care for the neuromuscular community. Contributions have helped fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art Care Centers, including the MDA Care Centers atthe University of Miami in Miami, FL and Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL.

They also help send local kids to “the best week of the year” at MDA summer camp at Florida Elks Youth Camp in Umatilla, FL – all at no cost to their families.

MDA and IAFF Partnership

The partnership between the IAFF and MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization's unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. As MDA’s largest national partner, they have raised more than $650 million for the MDA to date. Today the IAFF/MDA partnership is finding new ways to save lives by working to expand newborn screenings in the U.S. with Pompe disease or Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), so that they can be immediately eligible for lifesaving and life changing therapies.

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 committed to transforming the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases. We do this through innovations in science and innovations in care. As the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside of the federal government, MDA has committed more than $1 billion since our inception to accelerate the discovery of therapies and cures. Research we have supported is directly linked to approved, life-changing therapies across multiple neuromuscular diseases. We support the largest network of multidisciplinary clinics providing best-in-class care at more than 150 of the nation's top medical institutions, and each year thousands of children and young adults learn vital life skills and gain independence at MDA Summer Camp and through recreational programs. For more information visit mda.org.