Firefighters surpass fundraising goal in muscular dystrophy campaign

Watsonville firefighter Matt McCollum gets a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Friday from a driver on Ohlone Parkway as part of the annual Fill the Boot campaign. (Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian)

WATSONVILLE — Watsonville firefighters beat their goal this year of topping last year’s Fill the Boot campaign, a fundraiser to help fight muscular dystrophy.

With boot in hand, Watsonville firefighters staged a two-day drive last week at the corner of Ohlone Parkway and Main Street, and they raised a sizzling $8,836. The figure trounced their 2011 total by more than $2,000.

“Watsonville firefighters do an amazing job, and they do so much for the community,” said Angela Rauch, fundraising coordinator for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. “What is really great is that they are helping local families. They are helping those with muscular diseases lead a better quality of life. We are grateful for their efforts.”

The nonprofit’s mission is to find a cure for muscular dystrophy, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and more than 40 additional neuromuscular diseases by funding worldwide research. The association provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education while maintaining 200 clinics and 35 MDA/ALS centers. The organization relies solely on donations to operate and provides services like immunizations, clinic visits and medical equipment repairs to those affected by muscular dystrophy. The MDA also sends children ages 6 through 17 to summer camp for free every year.

“The camp is usually the best week of their lives,” Rauch said. “The children take part in swimming, soccer, horseback riding and other fun activities.”

Fill the Boot has been a tradition with the International Association of Firefighters since 1953, Rausch said. Since then they have raised $475 million nationwide for MDA. Funds raised, as in Watsonville, usually stay in the community. The money goes to help youths and adults.

Rauch said a common early sign of muscle diseases in children is that they will start tripping a lot and behave clumsily. In adults, walking will typically become more difficult and they will complain of sore legs and excessive weakness.

“We are grateful for the community support,” Rauch said. “Every single penny donated, every dollar adds to further research and greater hope in the future.”









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