Buffal Grove firefighters set record for MDA fund drive

Buffalo Grove trustees this week honored firefighters for a record-setting year in raising funds to fight muscular dystrophy.

Firefighters who took part in the “Fill the Boot” program this year, in which they collected donations at Arlington Heights Road and Lake-Cook Road and Buffalo Grove Road and Dundee Road over Labor Day weekend, raised $24,047 for the cause.

That brings the department’s total over the years past the $300,000 mark, making Buffalo Grove the first village in the state to raise that much for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“I don’t think I can even put in words how much that helps,” said Amanda Konopka, a fundraising coordinator for MDA Chicago. “They are one of the top raising departments in the state.”

Konopka said the money raised goes to support research, summer camps, clinics and support groups. All of it stays local, she added.

Buffalo Grove Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Alexander, who has run the fundraising effort in Buffalo Grove, thanked commuters and residents, as well as PNC Bank and the Buffalo Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor for their involvement.

“Next year, our goal is $25,000,” he said.

Village President Jeffrey Braiman thanked Alexander, saying, “We look forward to another 15 years, Joe.”