Sidney firefighters raise $1,402 during 'Fill the Boot' campaign

More than 10 members of the Sidney Fire Department raised $1,402 during the annual “Fill the Boot” campaign on Sept. 7 with the intention of helping to save and improve the lives of people fighting muscle disease in the Sidney area.

Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other related life-threatening diseases take away people’s ability to walk, move, smile, talk and even breathe.

“For six decades, fire fighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases, and this year’s Sidney ‘Fill the Boot’ results are a perfect example of the true dedication that the Sidney Fire Department has toward supporting the families we serve,” said MDA Executive Director, Angie Connell. “We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who provide life-saving help that will fund research, advocate for children and adults affected by muscle disease, and rally our community to fight back.”

Funds raised through the “Fill the Boot” weekend build on decades of research progress, helping push science to its limits in the search for treatments and cures.

Dollars raised also help support MDA’s life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and clinics, including the MDA Clinic at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. They also make MDA summer camp possible so kids with muscle disease can enjoy “the best week of the year” at Camp Comeca in Cozad, Neb., and nearly 80 other locations nationwide.

As the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s largest national sponsor, the IAFF fuels MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. Besides the “Fill the Boot” events, contributions from charity baseball games and other local events hosted/sponsored by the IAFF help support MDA’s efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

IAFF support for 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. The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and firefighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2013, more than 100,000 firefighters participated in “Fill the Boot” events across the country and raised $26.2 million. To date the IAFF has raised $558 million for MDA.

The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional firefighters 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 U.S. and Canada.