Mt. Prospect firefighters will 'fill the boots' for MDA on Aug. 19

On Friday, Aug. 19, the intersections of Route 83 and Northwest Highway and Golf and Busse roads will be overflowing with Mount Prospect firefighters from AFFI Local 4119 collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Firefighters will be holding their boots out to commuters from 6 a.m.-noon, asking drivers to fill them for MDA.

Last year, Mount Prospect firefighters grossed $5,000 during the 2010 Fill the Boot effort, and they are looking to outdo that number this year.

Local firefighter Kevin Swat, who has helped fill the boot for years, is the newest coordinator in 2011 and is very excited to hit the streets.

There will be some friendly competition as neighboring departments go out in the month of August, which is designated “Fill the Boot” month for firefighters nationwide.

In 2010, firefighters nationwide raised more than $27 million for MDA research, equipment, programs, camps and more.

“For many of our young clients, firefighters are like real-life super heroes, and that is truly what they are,” said Amber Pichiotino, a fundraising coordinator for MDA Chicago.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. In addition to funding more than 330 research teams worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; orchestrates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and facilitates local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases.