Coppell Fire Department To Host Fill The Boot Fundraiser Virtually

From City of Coppell:

It's the season of giving and the Coppell Fire Department along with Coppell Professional Fire Fighter Association Local 3178 is kicking it off by hosting its annual Fill the Boot fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Like many events this year, the fundraiser is going virtual and while it may look a little different, the goal is still the same — to support families affected by muscular dystrophy, and fund research for new treatments.

For 66 years, members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have been at intersections asking motorists and passersby to drop a donation into their fire boots for MDA. However, in order to maintain proper social distancing and safety precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the community is asked to fill the boot online at https://filltheboot.donordrive.com/participant/CoppellL3178.

"The Coppell Fire Department is proud to participate in MDA's virtual Fill the Boot campaign this year," said Coppell Fire Chief Kevin Richardson. "This virtual format will allow our fire fighters to continue collecting donations for this worthy cause while keeping everyone safe."

MDA families are counting on the organization more than ever this year and the MDA is at risk of losing more than 30% of its funding because of the pandemic. The IAFF, which represents more than 300,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics, is MDA's largest national partner and supports its lifesaving mission in many ways including MDA's signature Fill the Boot campaign. Even though the community may not see their local fire fighters at intersections while out and about, they are encouraged to give what they can during this virtual fundraiser.

How does MDA spend the money you donate?

• 72 cents of every dollar supports MDA's efforts to fund groundbreaking research, educate and raise awareness, and provide support and services to families across the country
• 15 cents goes to support fundraising
• 13 cents goes to overhead

What programs and services does MDA offer to local families?

• Summer camps for more than 3,000 children with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases
• Comprehensive, expert care at MDA Care Centers, including those at Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Cook Children's Medical Center, Texas Neurology, and UT Southwestern
• Advocacy for access to care and screening for all neuromuscular diseases at the federal and state level

What do your dollars buy?

• $35 — provides telehealth appointments at MDA Care Centers
• $50 — connects volunteers with MDA-funded clinical trials
• $250 — provides COVID-19 training for MDA providers
• $500 — funds research to find a cure

Visit https://filltheboot.donordrive.com/participant/CoppellL3178 to Fill the Boot virtually and give to those in need.

This press release was produced by City of Coppell. The views expressed here are the author’s own.