Bloomington Fire Fighters Fill the Boot to Support Kids and Adults with Muscle-Debilitating Diseases

Contact:

Rob Springer
Executive Director Central Indiana, 317-824-4800, rspringer@mdausa.org

Or

Bob Loviscek
President, Bloomington Firefighters Local 586
Loviscek86@gmail.com

Bloomington Fire Fighters Fill the Boot to Support Kids and Adults with Muscle-Debilitating Diseases

BLOOMINGTON, IN - AUGUST 14TH-20TH 2016 - Members of the Bloomington Professional Firefighters Local 586 to include firefighters from the CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, ELLETTSVILLE, BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP, VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP AND PERRY CLEAR CREEK FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT are set to kick off the fire fighter's annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) find urgently needed treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility.

More than 150 fire fighters from BLOOMINGTON METROPOLITAN PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 586 will fan out across the city with boots in hand for this year's drive on AUGUST 14TH through 20th between the hours of 12 til 7 pm, at the COLLEGE MALL TARGET, KROGER SOUTH, KROGER WEST, MARSH NORTH AND BUEHLERS in ELLETTSVILLE.

"For more than sixty years, fire fighters have stood on the front lines with MDA in the fight to free individuals - and the families who love them - from the harm of these life-threatening muscle diseases," said MDA Central Indiana Executive Director, Rob Springer. "Each year, BLOOMINGTON fire fighters dedicate countless hours of their time participating in Fill the Boot drives and at MDA Summer Camp. We're grateful for their steadfast drive and uncommon caring toward the kids and adults we serve and look forward to working together once again to make this Fill the Boot season a huge success."

MDA's spirited Fill the Boot campaign is an honored tradition in which thousands of dedicated fire fighters in hometowns across America hit the streets or storefronts asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to make a donation to MDA, using their collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger.

Funds raised through 2016 BLOOMINGTON'S Fill the Boot event empower families with life-enhancing resources and support that open new possibilities and maximize independence so they can experience the world without any limits.

In addition to Fill the Boot drives, fire fighter contributions from year-round local events, help support MDA's efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

Contributions also help MDA's efforts to fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at RILEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND IU NEUROMEDICAL CENTER in INDIANAPOLIS, IN. They also help send more than 80 local kids to "the best week of the year" at MDA summer camp at no cost to their families at BRADFORD WOODS IN MARTINSVILLE, IN.

MDA and IAFF Partnership

As MDA's largest national partner, local affiliates of the International Association of Firefighters 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 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 fire fighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2015, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $25.5 million. To date the IAFF has raised $583 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 - from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical 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 -