Mayor Barbara Bass, Tyler firefighters kick off MDA 'Fill the Boot' campaign | Community Spirit

Released by MDA of East Texas:

Tyler Fire Department and the Muscular Dystrophy Association will partner in the fight against neuromuscular diseases during the annual Fill the Boot campaign. Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel, Tyler City Council Members, Tyler Fire Department officials, MDA East Texas staff and special guests will begin this year’s campaign with a media kick-off.  

The event will be held at Tyler Fire Station 10, located at 2502 Old Omen Rd, on Wednesday, May 2nd at 11:00am.

More than $17,000 was collected by the department for last year’s Fill the Boot efforts.

Tyler firefighters will be at Wal-Mart on Troup, Wal-Mart on Hwy 64, and the parking lot of Lowe’s filling the boot for MDA May 4th- 6th. All fire companies will be in service and available for calls as necessary.

Firefighters across the country are the top contributors to MDA having raised more than $435 million since becoming a supporter in 1954.  In 2011, Texas firefighters led the country collecting more than $3.5 million for MDA, with East Texas contributing over $160,000 of that total.

Funds raised by Tyler Fire Department and dozens of other departments in East Texas benefit nearly 400 families who are affected by a neuromuscular disease. More than 77 cents of every dollar raised by MDA supporters like firefighters goes directly to direct services and research.  MDA has invested more than $12.4 million in research funding in Texas over the last 5 years. During the same time period, MDA has provided more than $12.1 million in services to individuals living in Texas.

MDA clinics serving the East Texas area include The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and Texas Neurology.  Other vital services include support group sessions, assistance with the repair of durable medical equipment and the children’s favorite, summer camp.

Please join us in promoting this more than 55-year tradition of supporting MDA through Fill the Boot. For more information contact Meredith Honeycutt with MDA at 903-534-2984.