(Miami, Florida)- The City of Miami Fire-Rescue Department will kick off “Fill the Boot”, a fund raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), on Friday, August 29th, 2008, at Fire Station 4, 1105 SW 2 Avenue, at 10:00 a.m. 

To begin fund raising efforts, a child with muscular dystrophy will collect the very first donations from City of Miami Commissioners Joe Sanchez, Tomas Regalado, and Marc Sarnoff; Fire Union President Robert Suarez and Fire-Rescue Executive staff.

From Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1, fire fighters will be collecting funds in their boots as a part of a national effort. Money collected will go towards MDA’s summer camps for children, clinic visits at the University of Miami, professional and public health education, and other programs. Funds gathered through the Miami “Fill the Boot” campaign stay in Miami to help local children and adults living with muscular dystrophy.

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is the largest national sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Labor Day Telethon donating nearly $275 million to MDA since 1954.

For more information contact David Duthil, MDA Coordinator for Miami Fire-Rescue, at 305-778-0509.