Milton Firefighters Raise $87K For Fill The Boot Campaign

MILTON, GA — The generosity of the Milton community is evident, as the Milton Fire-Rescue Department raised more than $87,000 during the 2018 Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Milton Fire Chief Robert Edgar and members of the Milton Fire-Rescue Department officially presented the donation to Abby Ruffner, Executive Director for MDA at the July 9 City Council Meeting. The mayor and members of the Milton City Council issued a proclamation formally recognizing the fire department for their philanthropic commitment to Georgia families struggling with muscular dystrophy.

Several local MDA families attended the council meeting to personally express their appreciation for the department's boot drive efforts. The proceeds collected benefit the Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge. Each year, firefighters collect at central Milton intersections every other Friday from April through late May.

With only six total collection days, Milton residents averaged more than $14,000 daily to help in the fight against muscular dystrophy. The 11-year partnership has raised more than $726,000 to date.

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"Each year I'm humbled by the generosity of our community and think we'll never surpass that year's total, and each year I'm proven wrong by our residents," said Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood. "Our public safety personnel put their lives on the line for us day in and day out, and it's always an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary commitment to our community and those in need."

Fire Chief Robert Edgar said total collections have steadily increased year-over-year with this year's donations up by nine percent from last year's total. Milton was once again ranked number one in the metro Atlanta area and highest per capita boot drive collections by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"As part of our partnership with MDA, a group of us travel to Camp Twin Lakes to see our community donations in action," said Edgar. "Seeing the smiling faces on campers and experiencing first-hand the impact our community is making on these children and their families is priceless."

MDA Executive Director Abby Ruffner said the organization is "honored" to call the city's Fire Department a long-time partner, as firefighters have shown their "immense dedication and care for MDA's families during this year's Fill the Boot campaign."

"This year's Fill the Boot was a record breaking year, and we are grateful for the generosity of those in the Milton community who have helped individuals with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases truly live unlimited," Ruffner said.

Image via city of Milton