Southlake Firefighters Break Record in MDA "Fill the Boot" Donations!

The Southlake Fire Department would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s Muscular Dystrophy Association “Fill the Boot” campaign.  We are so thrilled to tell you that with your help, Southlake firefighters collected more than $33,000 for MDA, the largest amount ever collected by our department!

This is the 60^th year for “Fill the Boot.”  All of the money collected from your generous donations will serve the greater Tarrant County area. All monies raised go to help fund research for MDA, provide medical equipment, motorized chairs for children and a week at the MDA Summer Camp. MDA’s Summer Camp allows children with neuromuscular diseases the opportunity be a kid and it also provides parents with peace of mind knowing their children are in great hands with caregivers who are dedicated health professionals and trained camp volunteers.  It also gives parents an opportunity to spend special time with the camper’s siblings.

Southlake Firefighter Jody Keeler is following in the footsteps of other Southlake firefighters by volunteering to be a camp counselor this summer.  Jody says, “I am very excited to be a part of the MDA Summer Camp because it gives back so much to the kids, their parents and everyone in the family. It is such an amazing organization.”

At MDA Camp, kids with neuromuscular disease discover a world that is created just for them. They get to meet with other kids who have the same needs that they do as well as just have fun being a kid and sharing new experiences like: horseback riding, swimming, adaptive sports, arts and crafts, camp dances and so much more. Campers will tell you that it is “the best week of the year” for them.  Kids are able to develop lifelong friendships and increase their confidence and self-esteem.

This year more than a 100 community volunteers will spend a week of their lives becoming role models, caregivers, friends, and camp counselors to 100 campers living with neuromuscular disease. These volunteers have various backgrounds, such as firefighters, police officers, UT Southwestern Physical Therapy students, local college students, plus 10 and 20 year returning veteran volunteers. They are all truly amazing individuals and so are all of you who helped to “Fill the Boot” this year. Thanks to your donations children with muscular dystrophy will reap the benefits of your generosity.  To learn more about muscular dystrophy or give to MDA log on to http://mda.org.