The Kannapolis Fire Department’s “Fill the Boot” campaign has raised more than $19,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Kannapolis Fire Department personnel spent weekends in September and October at local shopping centers and other public gathering places raising awareness and donations for their annual campaign.
This year’s total funds raised were only $0.66 shy of the 2010 total. Engine 51 Captain Tim Smith who heads the fundraising campaign for the department each year comments, “Our 2011 grand total is $19,879.23. The department’s goal was $20K and, even though we fell short, I think we did very well in this tough economic time. I would like to say good job and a big thank you to all those involved.”
“I would personally like to thank all the citizens of Kannapolis and Cabarrus County, as well as visitors, who contributed to our fundraising efforts,” adds Kannapolis Fire Chief Ernie Hiers. “Thanks to the public’s generosity, many lives will be touched.”
Funds raised by firefighters enable the MDA to continue providing direct services to local children and adults with neuromuscular diseases. In addition to a worldwide research program, MDA provides assistance with the purchase of wheelchairs and leg braces, and offers a summer camp program for children ages 6 to 21 with muscular dystrophy. Free medical services are also available at the MDA ALS/Neuromuscular Clinic located at Carolinas Medical Center for individuals diagnosed with any of the 43 diseases covered by MDA.
For more information on the MDA, please visit www.mda.org.