35TH ANNUAL PADRES TAILGATE & FIRE FIGHTER CHILI COOK-OFF TO BENEFIT MDA

35th Annual Padres Tailgate & Fire Fighter

Chili Cook-off to Benefit MDA

SAN DIEGO, CA --- The 35th Annual Padres Tailgate and Fire Fighter Chili Cook-off to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), sponsored by San Diego City Fire Fighters Local 145, will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2015. More than 25 local fire departments are expected to converge at Embarcadero Marina Park South to compete for bragging rights for the best firehouse chili in all of San Diego.

Over 2,500 people are expected for this exciting event and fundraiser for MDA. Participating fire departments will create their signature chili and serve it from a specially-themed, decorated booth. Some of the selections that will be available include: Selfie Chili, Super Hero Chili, Duck Dynasty Chili and the list goes on. Awards will be given for People’s Choice, Best Booth, Best Chili and Top Fundraising Department.

As the MDA’s largest national sponsor, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) fuels MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization’s unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day.

In addition to supporting the Chili Cook-off, local fire departments also support the MDA of San Diego by participating in annual Fill the Boot fundraisers, golf tournaments and more.

The Padres Tailgate & Fire Fighter Chili Cook-off will feature all-you-can-eat hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst and snacks. Guests can enjoy cold beverages from Green Flash, La Ballast Point, Stone, Lagunitas, Coca Cola and Monster Energy Drink, to name a few. Event sponsors include San Diego City Fire Fighters Local 145, Fate Therapeutics and Motorola.

Admission is $50 for adults and $20 for children and includes a ticket to the Padres vs. Marlins game at Petco Park that evening. Event hours are 12:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and the game begins at 5:40 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by calling MDA at 858-492-9792. Tickets are available at an increased price the day of the event (game tickets are available while supplies last). Please call for more information.

The funds raised at this event will stay in San Diego and Imperial Counties to benefit those affected by any of 43 neuromuscular diseases. MDA uses the funds collected to fulfill our threefold mission of research, program services, and education. Seventy-seven cents of every dollar raised is spent towards this mission. Specifically, funds raised will help our patients by providing medical services, support groups, research, summer camp for children ages 6-17 at Camp Cuyamaca, a muscle disease clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital and financial assistance with repairs to wheelchairs and leg braces.

The MDA does not receive any government funding. We rely solely on businesses, programs and events such as the Padres Tailgate and Firefighter Chili Cook-off to help with annual funding. For more information, please visit www.mda.org.

For more information, please contact Angel Chanchea, executive director of MDA San Diego and Imperial Counties, at 858-492-9792 or achanchea@mdausa.org. Event updates can also be found at www.facebook.com/mdasandiegoimperialvalley.

About the IAFF

The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.

About MDA

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.