Newark Fire Fighters Kick Off Fill the Boot Drive

The Newark Fire Department will kick off their fill the boot drive on August 20, 2011 at the Bergen Street Festival to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and help send children in N.J. to MDA Summer Camp.

Newark fire fighters will collect donations for MDA at various locations throughout the greater Newark area from Monday, August 22 to Friday, August 26, 2011. The fill the boot drive will take place during the morning and afternoons in two shifts and during community events in Newark. Specific times and locations will follow.

In case of inclimate weather, the Newark Fire Department will fill the boot from Tuesday, August 30 to Friday, September 2, 2011.

All of the proceeds will go towards MDA’s services, research programs, and support groups that benefit individuals and families in the local area. Funds help send children fighting against neuromuscular disease to MDA Summer Camp.

MDA N.Y. Summer Camp, located in Spring Valley, N.Y., is a place offering a wide range of activities specially designed for young people who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs with neuromuscular disease. Camp programs are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere that gives campers an opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, share interests and build self-confidence.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is MDA’s largest national sponsor. Last year, Locals throughout the United States raised over $27.6 million to help individuals affected by neuromuscular disease. Since 1954, IAFF members have donated more than $450 million to MDA. Since 2005, the Newark Fire Department has raised over $50,000 to benefit MDA.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA also supports nearly 330 research projects around the world and sponsors 200 hospital-affiliated clinics.

For more information on this event, please contact Valerie D’Angiolini at (203) 288-3500 or vdangiolini@mdausa.org or Vanessa Malfitano at (201) 843-4452 or vmalfitano@mdausa.org.