Almost There! Sturgeon Bay Fire Fighters Inch Closer to $12,000 Goal

STURGEON BAY, Wis., July 5, 2011—The Sturgeon Bay Local #2682 teamed up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association this month in the battle against neuromuscular disease.

The fire fighters removed their boots on 3^rd and Louisiana June 25-26 and July 2-3 to collect money from motorists and pedestrians for MDA’s annual Fill-the-Boot program. In just four days, the Department raised $11,437.42, beating their 2010 collection by over $2,300.

"After two great weekends of Fill the Boot in Sturgeon Bay, we have come very close to our $12,000 goal.” Tim Dietman, Union President and Fill-the-Boot Coordinator, said. “We would like to thank everyone who donated. Without you, we would not be able to fight the neuromuscular diseases that affect our friends, family members and neighbors."

The fire fighters are still determined to raise $12,000 to cover the costs of sending every child in Door County affected by neuromuscular disease to MDA Summer Camp in Green Lake. They have set another collection date for August 20.

In addition to funding MDA Summer Camp, the money raised will benefit local MDA clients and services like funding clinic visits at Prevea and Marshfield Clinics and financing wheelchair repairs.

                                                                                   

MDA’s Fill-the-Boot program is supported by fire departments across North America. Last year, Wisconsin fire fighters raised $600,000 for MDA.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education.  For more information about MDA’s programs and services, call (920) 499-4571.

  

Rhinelander Fire Fighters Kick Off Hodag Country Festival by Kicking Off Their Boots

RHINELANDER, Wis., July 5, 2011–The Rhinelander Fire Department will help kick off the Hodag Country Festival this week by kicking off their boots for a good cause.

                                                                                                          

Rhinelander Local #1028 will use their boots to collect money at the intersection of North Stevens Street and County HWY W, July 7-9 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Fill-the-Boot program.

All donations will benefit local MDA clients and services like sending children and young adults to MDA Summer Camp in Green Lake, funding clinic visits at Prevea and Marshfield Clinic, and financing wheelchair repairs.

MDA’s Fill-the-Boot program is supported by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and non-union fire departments across North America. Last year, Wisconsin fire fighters raised $600,000 for MDA.

The tradition began in 1952, when a father in desperate need ran to IAFF member George Graney’s Fire Engine Company 1 in South Boston.  IAFF Local 718 immediately rounded up 20 fire fighters and set in motion a door-to-door canister drive that raised $5,000.

Realizing the potential that fire fighters had to offer the cause and their excellent image in the community, Graney approached and persuaded other IAFF members to support MDA.  In August 1954, IAFF named MDA as their “charity of choice” and their signature fundraising activity has been the MDA Fill-the-Boot drive.  The IAFF has emerged as the single-largest sponsor of MDA, contributing nearly $300 million since 1954 – all to benefit Jerry’s kids.  

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public h

Who Knew $32,000 Could Fit in a Boot?

GREENFIELD, Wis., June 29, 2011—The Greenfield Fire Department Local #1963 teamed up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association this last week in the battle against neuromuscular disease.

The fire fighters removed their boots on the corner of 76th Street and Layton Avenue to collect money from motorists and pedestrians as a part of MDA’s annual Fill-the-Boot program. In just three days, the Fire Department raised $32,762.

MDA and the Greenfield Fire Department would like to thank TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut and Applebee’s for providing lunch, Sendik’s for offering water, North Shore Bank for counting donations, Greenfield Patch for covering the event, and M&I Bank for supplying parking spots

All donations will benefit local MDA clients and services like sending children and young adults to MDA Summer Camp in Camp Lake, funding clinic visits at Froedtert Memorial Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and financing wheelchair repairs.

MDA’s Fill-the-Boot program is supported by fire departments across North America. Last year, Wisconsin fire fighters raised $600,000 for MDA.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education.  For more information about MDA’s programs and services, call (262) 432-3269.

Wisconsin Benefit Rides Attract Over 2,000 Motorcyclists and Raise $200,000 for MDA

Cal and Laura Niemeier flex their muscles before they kick off the Tub Run for the 17th consecutive year. Cal was diagnosed with ALS in April 2010.   

GREEN BAY and JANESVILLE, Wis., June 28, 2011— Thousands of motorcyclists rallied in Wisconsin this month to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

With the help of local HOG chapters and motorcycle dealerships, MDA hosted two benefit rides, raising over $200,000 for the Association. 

The Packerland Ride attracted over 700 motorcyclists to Green Bay on June 4 with festivities including a 60-mile scenic ride ending at Doc’s Harley-Davidson in Shawano County, raffle, auctions, food and entertainment. 

The ride, which was organized by the Wolf River Harley Owners Group Chapter, raised over $48,000 for MDA. 

Nearly 1,600 motorcyclists kicked off the 17th Annual Tub Run on June 18 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Tub Run events ran throughout the weekend and raised over $149,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Pledge riders alone raised over $23,000, nearly doubling the 2010 contributions. 

Five pledge riders raised over $1,000 and had the opportunity to lead the ride with longtime Tub Run supporter, Cal Niemeier. Niemeier lead the Tub Run for 17 years, carrying the American flag on his motorcycle. However, in April 2010, doctors diagnosed Niemeier with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). This year, he and his wife, Laura, lead the ride together with the five pledge riders.  

The top overall pledge rider, Dave Alwin, won a four-day trip for two to Las Vegas to see the MDA Telethon. He gave the trip to Cal and Laura.   All proceeds from the Tub Run will benefit local clients of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and help finance clinic visits, support groups, and a weeklong stay at MDA Summer Camp.  

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. To volunteer or for more information about MDA’s programs and services, call (800) 572-1717.

Gresham Fire Fighters Give Neuromuscular Disease the Boot

GRESHAM, Wis., June 28, 2011–The Gresham Fire Department will go beyond the call of duty July 2, when they join in the battle against neuromuscular disease. 

The fire fighters will remove their boots to collect donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at the July 4th Parade. The Gresham Fire Department will participate in the Fill the Boot fundraiser from 12-2 p.m. 

All donations will benefit local MDA clients and services like sending children and young adults to MDA Summer Camp in Green Lake, WI, funding clinic visits at Prevea and Marshfield Clinics, and financing wheelchair repairs. 

MDA’s Fill-the-Boot program is supported by fire departments across North America. Last year, Wisconsin fire fighters raised $600,000 for MDA. 

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education.  For more information about MDA’s programs and services, call 920-499-4571.  

MDA Summer Camp 2011: Camp Lake, Wisconsin

This year, 41 campers and over 80 volunteers came together at the Salvation Army Wonderland Camp in Kenosha County for MDA Summer Camp. For five days, the kids enjoyed arts and crafts projects, played adaptive sports and fished. Each camper is accompanied by a volunteer counselor to ensure that exceptional needs are met at all times. Take a look at these some of these amazing experiences:

Looks like one of the counselors took their eyes off of the golf cart...

 Waitin for those fish! 

Franklin Fire Fighters Kick Off Their Boots

 

WHO:              The Franklin Fire Department and the Muscular Dystrophy Association

                                            

WHAT:            Franklin Local #2760 will participate in MDA’s annual Fill-the-Boot campaign. The fire fighters will take off their boots and collect money from passing motorists and pedestrians.

WHERE:         The intersection of 76^th St. and Rawson Ave.

WHEN:            June 8-10, 2011 from 2-6 p.m.

WHY:               The annual Fill-the-Boot campaign is a national program to support MDA. All donations will benefit local MDA clients and finance services like sending children and young adults to MDA Summer Camp in Camp Lake, support groups, clinic visits at Children’s Hospital and Froedtert Memorial Hospital, and wheelchair purchases and repairs.