MIDDLETOWN — CAL FIRE firefighters took to the streets Saturday morning to raise money for those affected by muscular dystrophy.
CAL FIRE firefighters stationed in Middletown, working together with the Bay Area group of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), stood in the middle of the streets along the intersection of highways 29 and 175, collecting donations from passing motorists in large, black firefighter boots.
“Fill the Boot” is an annual event firefighters do on behalf of the MDA. It was the second time this month firefighters stood along the intersection collecting donations, according to Kirsha Zupetz, the executive director for the Bay Area MDA.
“The money that they raise goes towards research, multi-disciplinary clinics, summer camp for the kiddos, as well as wheelchair repair and leg brace repairs,” Zupetz said. Zupetz said the International Association of Firefighters is one of MDA”s largest national sponsors. The two organizations have been working together since 1954, she said.
CAL FIRE firefighters collected more than $2,400 on Saturday, according to Zupetz. On Aug. 18, firefighters collected more than $2,700.
CAL FIRE Captain Bob Barron said economic woes may have affected how much people were willing to give. “It seems like we”re getting a lot more $1”s this year than $5”s, $10”s and $20”s than we used to get in the past, but that”s OK,” Barron said. “People are hurting.”
Barron said he was proud of his firefighters. “They haven”t gotten hit by a car ever,” he said, laughing. “They”re doing real good.”
Zupetz praised CAL FIRE and all firefighters who help out the MDA. “These wonderful American heroes are out collecting to go ahead and create a better quality of life for these families,” she said. “They”re amazing and they”re really making a huge difference for these families.”
Barron offered gratitude to those who donated. “We just thank the people of Lake County for their donations,” he said. “We really appreciate it.”
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
