MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CANADA MEDIA ADVISORY
Local Firefighters Want You To Help Put The Boots To Muscular Dystrophy
Firefighters from throughout the Greater Victoria area will be putting their best foot forward collecting donations as part of their annual boot drive on Friday, May 28 from noon until 8:30 p.m., and again on Saturday May 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Firefighters will be out in force at shopping centres, malls and stores, taking part in what is traditionally the biggest annual fundraiser for the lower Island group each year. Firefighters have been involved in the fight against muscular dystrophy since 1954, raising millions of dollars to provide services that increase mobility, encourage independence and improve the quality of life for the tens of thousands of Canadians with neuromuscular disorders.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada actively funds leading research for the discovery of cures and therapies for the more than 100 neuormuscular disorders encompassed by muscular dystrophy. The organization relies heavily on the efforts of firefighters and the generosity of the community for funding to find a cure and help people with Muscular Dystrophy lead full and engaged lives.
Please be generous on May 28 and 29 when you see a firefighter with his boot extended for a helping hand. Your donations give strength to their fight muscular dystrophy.
If you miss the firefighters on the weekend you can donate $5 by texting MUSCLE to 30333
For more information contact Kerry Zado at 250-478-9555
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Langford Fire Rescue became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy (MDC) sometime in the 1970s, participating in the annual "Boot Drive" along with other area fire departments.
Currently, we are part of the 'Lower Island Group'. Seventeen departments from Sooke to Sidney make up this dynamic group, meeting at least twice a year to plan events and share ideas.
The "Boot Drive" as it is known is the time when firefighters from all over the lower island stand out in front of different malls, liquor stores and other public places accepting donations from the more than willing and enthusiastic public. This is the main fundraising event for the group, generating upwards of $60,000 for MDC.
Here in Langford, we do more than just the 'Boot Drive', generating donations from our department. Some of the things we have done are:
Between the money we raise at the boot drive and our other events, Langford donates upwards of $10,000 per year. We could not make these donations without the hard work of our Volunteer Firefighters and the generosity of the public.
