SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Fire Department was presented a check from the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) on Friday afternoon at the Southwick Fire Department headquarters.
Will Southall, the Fundraising Coordinator for the MDA in Mass., presented a check of $5,189.56.
The check was as a result of the Southwick Fire Department’s efforts for the Fill the Boot Drive fundraiser that they participated in on Sunday Oct. 9.
Representing the Southwick Fire Department were firefighters Brian Schneider and Carrie Bradbury.
Being the first year that the Southwick Fire Department has done a Fill the Boot fundraiser with the MDA, it has proven to be a success right from the start.
“Thanks to everyone that came together, a great first year,” said Southall.
Eleven firefighters and EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) volunteered for the Fill the Boot event.
Will Southall presented the Southwick Fire Department with the check in result of their efforts from the Fill the Boot Drive fundraising that goes towards the MDA. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
As the fire department was out at intersections around town working the vehicles at every red light in an attempt to fill the boot, the amount of donations they were getting was amazing for the firefighters and EMT’s to see.
“We were pulling over $1,000 an hour,” said Schneider.
People driving by were giving the volunteers anything from change, to small and large bills, and checks.
According to Bradbury, she counted around $460 just in change. The money in change was then taken to a local bank to have it counted in a machine. Bradbury said it took about 45 minutes for them to count all of the change while at the bank.
A more exciting part for the fire department to encounter while participating in the event, was the fact that all ages of the community were donating. Bradbury recalls several teenagers diving into their pockets and wallets giving out donations.
“That was really cool,” said Bradbury.
Southall was very pleased to see such a warm response from the community.
“It’s amazing to see what happens, thanks to the community,” said Southall.
The check presented by Southall will go back to the MDA.
According to Southall, the MDA of Massachusetts has had just over $960,000 in Fill the Boot Drives from towns and cities across the commonwealth this year.
This is the closest the MDA has ever been to $1 million as last year they raised just under $900,000.
The money that is fundraised by the fire departments is used for research by the MDA and it all stays local.
Drug companies and MDA care centers also get some of the fundraising. Southall pointed out that fundraising also goes towards the MDA summer camps that are held and the funding takes care of the children’s cost for the camp for the entire week.
