BFD raises $10,000 during ‘Fill the Boot’

Tuesday, 08 May 2012 by Matthew Girard

The Belton Fire Department raised more than $10,000 for the MDA last weekend during its annual “Fill the Boot” campaign.The citizens of Belton truly opened their hearts to some special children last weekend.

During its annual "Fill the Boot" drive, Belton Fire Department personnel collected more than $10,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

With BFD firefighters stationed at four locations in Belton, citizens filled fireman's boots with loose change and cash.

"We really credit that to the citizens of Belton and the city of Belton for allowing them to go out," Central Texas MDA Executive Director Kristen Wheeler said. "More than half of the people of Belton gave to Fill the Boot, so it means a great deal to people right here in our own backyard. It's so overwhelming to me to know that the citizens of Belton, despite the hard times, are so giving."

Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles that control movement.

The Fill the Boot program raises funds for patient services, including clinics, orthopedic equipment, support groups, summer camps as well as seek treatments and cures for the disease.

The money raised also goes back into the community, as the MDA serves more than 200 Texas families, including Justin and Joshua Fleming.

Last year, Beltonians gave more than $9,000 and those in Central Texas gave more than $18,000.

"Firefighters are heroes to begin with and they are definitely heroes to MDA," Wheeler said. "They are our No. 1 single supporter and last year Central Texas firefighters raised $180,000. It's quite impressive."

Services provided to Texans include 23 MDA clinic locations throughout the state.

"We couldn't continue to provide the services to our families like we do and fund the research like we do without groups like the firefighters," Wheeler said.

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