SOUTHWICK – The goal for the 2nd Annual MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Fill the Boot Drive was to raise over $5,000, which was what the Southwick Fire Department raised last year. That number was easily surpassed this year as the department raised $5,731 an accomplishment that is credited towards the community.
“The community outpouring exceeded our expectations,” said Brian Schneider, who is a Southwick firefighter and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).
Michelle Murphy of MDA holds the check from the Fill the Boot Drive with Southwick firefighter/EMT Brian Schneider. (Photo courtesy of Southwick Fire Department)
Michelle Murphy from the MDA represented the organization on Wednesday afternoon for the check presentation of the amount raised from the Fill the Boot drive. Murphy was grateful to see the continued support for the Fill the Boot drive.
“It’s huge, the amount of money they (fire department’s) bring in,” said Murphy.
All $5,731 that was raised from the Fill the Boot drive is going right back to the MDA. Stating that every dollar raised and given back to the MDA brings in a minute of research, Murphy explained the significance of the Fill the Boot drive and the work that still needs to be done.
“That just goes to show how much money is needed,” said Murphy.
The Southwick Fire Department hosted their 2nd Annual Fill the Boot Drive on Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Firefighters, EMT’s, and department personnel all gathered with their boots at the intersection of College Hwy and Depot Street where they solicited donations from passersby.
The MDA Fill the Boot Drive first started in Massachusetts in 1954 when $5,000 was raised. Now, as recently as 2014, $26.8 million was raised that year by more than 100,000 firefighters nationwide.
