Arlington Hts. firefighters ask for your help to Fill the Boot

The Arlington Heights Fire Department will be trying to Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Friday, May 11.

Firefighters will be out from 6:30-10:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., standing at Palatine and Arlington Heights roads, Northwest Highway and Arlington Heights Road and at the downtown train station by the Vail Street Jewel.

The Fill the Boot Drive raises money and awareness for MDA, formed in 1950 to combat neuromuscular diseases through research, programs providing medical and support services, and public health education.

Since 1954, firefighters have stood by MDA and 100 percent of the money raised by the AHFD MDA Boot Drive goes to MDA and the services that they provide to the local families in our surrounding suburbs.

This year, WGN-TV, two radio stations, and local MDA families will be participating, including Seth and 8-year-old Luciano Ortiz.

At the southwest corner of Palatine/Arlington Heights roads, 102.3 XLC-FM will be out from 8-10 a.m. giving away concert tickets and prizes. 103.5 KISS-FM will be there from 4-6 p.m. with prizes and giveaways — including a custom Chevy Sonic.

The WGN Morning News Around Town team will broadcast live from 7-9 a.m. from one or two of the Boot locations, with reporter Ana Beleval collecting donations alongside the firefighters. The fire department will park a ladder truck at the Vail Street location, and an engine truck will be at Palatine/Arlington Heights roads.

Can't be there in person? You can make a secure online donation to the AHFD MDA Boot Drive at www.iafflocal3105.org/mda, where you can also learn more about this disease and the families helped in town.

The Arlington Heights Fire Department and Local 3105 are helping MDA put donations to use in the fight against neuromuscular disease.