Kentucky Members Kick-off 2006 MDA Campaign

The Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters (KPFF) kicked off its 2006 MDA campaign with a meeting in Carrollton, Kentucky. From left: MDA Lexington District Director Ericka Mattingly; MDA Regional Director Denise Durel; KPFF President Bruce Roberts; MDA Northern Kentucky Program Coordinator Meg Koehl; and MDA Regional Coordinator Todd Adams.

Williamsport Members Entertain MDA Goodwill Ambassador

Williamsport, PA Local 736 members with MDA Goodwill Ambassador Carlee Weber and Santa Claus at a Christmas party held for Weber. Local 736 members and their families were invited to participate in the event and enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner.

El Centro Local Raises $6,126

El Centro, CA Local 3788 fire fighters hit the streets for the 10th Annual Fill-the-Boot campaign for the San Diego and Imperial County Chapter of MDA. Captain Alex Romero and Chief Chris Petree motivated and coordinated fire fighter participation. MDA thanks the following El Centro fire fighters and families who donated their time: Steve Wilson; Pat Apalctegu; Danny Moss; David Garcia; Brad Wilkenson; Raul Ojeda; Jim and Lura Matthews; Kyle Whitcher; Jim Payne; Kevin Baird; Jeff Grisso; Crispon Nunez; Bill Provost; Daniel Jauregui; Brandon Sanders; Javier Soto; and Ryan Gilbert.

El Paso Fire Fighters Conduct Boot Drive

El Paso, TX Local 51 fire fighters raised more than $24,000 during a two-day Fill-the-Boot drive for MDA December 9-10, 2005.

Orange County Fire Fighters Caddy for MDA

Orange County Professional Firefighters Association, CA Local 3631 fire fighters from Station 22 in Laguna Hills participated in the Ladies Royal Tee Golf Classic as caddies, emceed the live auction, and conducted a golf ball drop raffle. Local 3631 fire fighters Brian Abney, Andrew Bailey, Andy Olivas, Mike Mallet, Kelly Lucas, Gil Camarena, Robert Bucho and Mark Stevens participated in the event.

Newark Fire Officers Hold First Boot Drive

Newark, NJ Local 1860 members, Fill-the-Boot Coordinator Captain Damian Emerick and Captain Jim Weiss presented an $18,000 check to MDA from the local’s first-ever boot drive. Weiss and the Newark Fire Fighters’ Pipe and Drum serenaded children suffering from Muscular Dystrophy and visitors on VIP Day at this year’s summer camp.

Northeast Florida Members Do It Again!

Clay County, FL Local 3362 and Orange Park, FL Local 2668 collected a combined $38,001 for MDA -- $21,000 more than last year. Clay County MDA Coordinator David Seymour spearheaded the efforts over the Veteran’s Day weekend.

MDA Congratulates Newkirk Fire Fighters

Newkirk, OK Local 4441 fire fighters received the 2005 Fill-the-Boot plaque for raising more than $2,128 in 2005. Newkirk is eastern Oklahoma’s newest IAFF affiliate.

MDA Loves Carlsbad Fire Fighters

Carlsbad, CA Local 3730 fire fighters hit the streets to fill the boot for Jerry’s Kids. Fire fighter Trino Bojorquez led his fellow fire fighters in raising $6,110 in just a few hours. MDA clients Sarah and Scott Carlson were there to show their support and cheer on their heroes.

Bartlesville Fire Fighters Entertain MDA Kids

Bartlesville, OK Local 200 fire fighter Jeff Shuman shows eight-year-old Trey Stumpff how to operate a fire hose at Fire Station 3. Stumpff, a child served by MDA, accepted a check for $9,529 on behalf of the MDA and also received a tour of the fire station. The money was raised by Local 200 fire fighters during their annual Fill-the-Boot drive.

Danbury Local Presents Check to MDA

Danbury, CT Local 801 fire fighters raised $21,000 for MDA in 2005. From left: Local 801 Lieutenant Robert Blantin, Local 801 Treasurer Christopher Ryan, MDA District Director Jennifer Taylor and Local 801 Executive Board member Jeff Tomchik.

Outstanding Job By Twin Falls

Michael Salinas – who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy -- and his family joined Twin Falls, ID Local 1556 fire fighters in raising and outstanding $5,050 for MDA.

Boise Fire Fighters Bring In Bucks

Boise, ID Local 672 members raised $42,000 in two days. Local 672 President Tom Lovell presented a check to MDA on behalf of all fire fighters.

Oklahoma City Number One

Oklahoma City, OK Local 157 fire fighters present its Fill-the-Boot check for $127,940 during the Oklahoma City Telethon – nearly $20,000 more than in 2004.

Green Bay Raises Funds for MDA and Disaster Relief

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Green Bay, WI Local 141 fire fighters and the generous contributions from the citizens of Green Bay, Local 141 raised more than $7,400 for MDA and $1,170 for the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund during its Fill-the-Boot campaign.

Fairfax County Members Rise and Shine

From left: Fairfax County, VA Local 2068 member and MDA Coordinator Ron Gemsheim, Local 2068 President Mike Mohler and Fairfax County Fire Chief Michael Nuehard with the Washington, DC telethon hosts and MDA children. Fairfax County fire fighters raised a record $581,032, $120,000 of which will benefit the IAFF Disaster Relief Fund.

Augusta Members Double Their Totals

Augusta, GA Local 3357 hit the streets and raised $35,000 for MDA. Local 3357 members Captain John Baxley and Captain Sam Partin worked year-round to get the fire chief’s support for the Fill-the-Boot campaign. Due to their hard work and dedication, Augusta fire fighters increased their total by nearly $22,000 from last year, their best year ever for MDA.

Governor Approves Missouri Fire Fighters’ Proclamation

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has proclaimed August as MDA/Fire Fighters and Paramedic Appreciation Month. Pictured are Governor Blunt, MDA Missouri Goodwill Ambassador Zachary Winkle, Jefferson City, MO Local 671 fire fighter Les Rosenthal and MDA staff members.

West Virginia Members Support Jerry’s Kids

Fire fighters from six West Virginia locals came together in Charleston, West Virginia to kick-off the 2005 Fill-the-Boot season and participate in the 2nd Annual IAFF Appreciation Golf Outing. The event was organized by MDA for IAFF members on July 25, 2005 at the Brier Patch in Beckley, West Virginia.

Cobb County Members Join the Fight

Members of Cobb County, GA Local 2563 gathered at an area shopping center to Fill-the-Boot for the first time, collecting more than $500 in just one day.

Congratulations to Volusia County Local Members

Collecting at three intersections this year, Volusia County, FL Local 3574 increased its Fill-the-Boot contributions by almost $1,000 over last year, for a total of $5,302 going to MDA.

Laredo Fire Fighters Celebrate Fill-the-Boot Success!

Laredo, TX Local 1390 presents MDA Texas Goodwill Ambassador Juanito Molina with a fire helmet in honor of its April 28, 2005 Fill-the-Boot campaign that raised more than $35,000 for MDA.

Fairfax Fire Fighters Visit MDA Campers In DC

Fairfax, VA Local 2068 Captain Ron Gemsheim visits with MDA summer campers India, Shante and Brandi during VIP Day in Washington DC.

Independence Day Breakfast Tradition Continues for California Local


Newark, CA Local 1483 hosted its 5th Annual Pancake Breakfast on July 4, 2005, with proceeds benefiting the local MDA chapter. The event raised more than $4,000.

Brevard County Rocks the Boot for MDA

Brevard County, FL Local 2969 completed a successful Fill-the-Boot drive in July, raising $31,101 for MDA. Local 2969 will hold another boot drive over Labor Day weekend.

Local 1162 Money Given For A Good Cause

Fire fighters from Daytona Beach, FL Local 1162 watch as Ted Price accepts a check for $8,249 from its Fill-the-Boot drive on behalf of MDA. Price lost three sons to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His last son passed away only one day after Local 1162 concluded its boot drive.
(From left) MDA Coordinator Donnie Moore, MDA District Director Katie Bobin and Ted Price.

Ceres Members Raise 16K for MDA

Ceres, CA Local 3636 fire fighters raised more than $16,727 during its Fill-the-Boot campaign on May 21, 2005.

Kentucky Fire Fighters Kick-off 2005 Boot Drive

Kentucky Professional Fire Fighters President Bruce Roberts and several other Kentucky local leaders and members attended a “Fill the Boot” campaign kick-off meeting with MDA representatives at the Kentucky Derby Museum on June 15, 2005. Kentucky State MDA Ambassador Sam Krauss and his mother, Rhonda, thanked fire fighters for their support of MDA in the Commonwealth.

Carolina Members In Florida

Goldsboro, NC Local 1871 Secretary Rob Loreman and Columbia, SC Local 793 President Eddie Baughman  participated in a luncheon with the IAFF General President Schaitberger and IAFF 12th District Vice President Dominick Barbera at the Florida Professional Fire Fighters Convention. Also pictured is the current MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Morgan Fritz. MDA thanks Rob and Eddie for their continued commitment and leadership in representing IAFF locals in the Carolinas.

MDA at Nebraska Convention

Nebraska State MDA Goodwill Ambassador's family (Darin, Courtney, Derek and Tammy Caster), IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger and IAFF 2nd District Vice President Louie Wright.

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