Camp Pendleton, Oceanside Fire Fighters and MDA Celebrate “60 Years Strong,”
Oceanside CA— Members of Camp Pendleton and Oceanside Fire Departments, along with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will celebrate their 60-year partnership and kick off the firefighters’ annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout the San Diego County area.
More than 40 off-duty members of Camp Pendleton and Oceanside Fire Departments will hit the intersection of College Boulevard and Highway 78 with boots in hand for this year’s drive on Wednesday, August 27, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Passing motorists are encouraged to donate what they can, and no amount is too small.
“Throughout 2014 MDA and firefighters are celebrating 60 years of proud partnership, joined together in the fight against life-threatening muscle disease,” said MDA Executive Director, Angel Chanchea-Moser. “Fire fighters in the San Diego County area do more for MDA and the families we serve than any other group, dedicating countless hours of their time every year participating in Fill the Boot drives and at MDA Summer Camp. We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who have made a profound impact on our families’ health, well-being and quality of life, and we’re excited to make this year’s Fill the Boot campaign with Camp Pendleton and Oceanside Fire Departments the most successful yet.”
In 2013, Camp Pendleton and Oceanside Firefighters raised more than $5,800 during a single Fill the Boot event. This year, with the generous support of Oceanside community members, they hope to far surpass last year’s fundraising total. Each department has set a goal of funding 60 minutes of research, or $4,200 each.
Funds raised through the 2014 Fill the Boot event will help support MDA’s programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscle diseases to a week-long, barrier-free MDA summer camp at local campsite Camp Cuyamaca in Descanso, Ca.
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.
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 2013, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $26.2 million. To date the IAFF has raised $530 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
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of anyone with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews. Learn more about MDA’s mission by watching this video.