Caledonia Firefighters Want to 'Fill the Boot' for Muscular Dystrophy

Members of the Caledonia Local 2740 Fire Department will take to the streets Friday for the annual "Fill the Boot" campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Caledonia firefighters will be at the intersection of 3-Mile Road and Douglas Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect donations big and small.

Since 1954, the International Association of Firefighters has supported MDA's mission to support patients and families affected by muscular dystrophy.

Here in Caledonia, the department has supported local efforts for as far back as anyone knows, according to firefighter and local chair of the MDA committee Jeff Erickson.

"I've been involved for the last 15 years, but I know our department's relationship with the local MDA goes back much further," he said.

One of the reasons he supports the MDA mission is because money raised locally stays local to help send kids to camp, fund clinic visits and help with wheelchair repair.

"'Fill the Boot' gets us out into the public in a different way to raise money for a good cause that keeps funds local," Erickson said.

The 2013 goal is $3,000, which Erickson said is lower than past years because of the economy.

"We've raised $6,000 before, but we're aiming for $3,000 this year so we can build back up as the economy improves," he added.

25 members of the CFD will participate in "Fill the Boot," rotating between on-duty and off so crews can answer calls for service as needed.