By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington Firefighters Union IAFF Local 49 has launched its annual Fill the Boot campaign to benefit the Muscular Distrophy Association.
The group raised over $23,000 last year, which was a record for the event.
“Fill the Boot is an honored tradition among firefighters. For both the International Association of Fire Fighters and the MDA,” said Local 49 Vice President Clayton Matteson. “It plays an important role in advancing MDA’s mission.”
MDA Fundraising Coordinator Jenna Warner said Fill the Boot has been a major help for them.
“This partnership has really been what’s holding MDA together; what’s pushing for all of the research, all of the services that we’re able to do,” said Warner. “We are so thankful that our firefighters are in this fight with us until we find a cure. Until we can stop muscle disease.”
MDA has benefited people like Lizzie Chamberlain, of Jacksonville, who is able to attend a summer camp MDA sponsors.
“It’s a week of ‘I can’ not ‘I can’t.’ I get to be around kids who like me and who understand what I’m going through. It’s really amazing. I do things I only dream of doing at home,” Chamberlain said.
Firefighters will be at the Walmart on Markets Street in Bloomington six days over the next few months:
- May 27 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- June 4 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- July 29 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
In addition to the Walmart, firefighters will also be at the following intersections:
- Eastland and Prospect
- Oakland and Mercer
- Clinton and Emerson
- Locust and Hinshaw
- Washington and Lee
Donations can also be made online here.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
