Fairfax County First In Nation For Fill The Boot Donations Again

FRANCONIA, VA — Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics once again raised the most donations in the U.S. for the annual Fill the Boot campaign to help those with neuromuscular disease. The $447,571 raised over Labor Day weekend benefits the DC/VA Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Firefighters and paramedics collected donations at intersections throughout the holiday weekend. International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2068 kept track of donations by date, fire station and battalion. The most successful day was Friday, Aug. 30 with $128,686.71 raised, followed by Sunday, Sept. 1 with $114,944.40 raised.

One fire station in particular was the overwhelming leader for donations collected. Franconia Fire Station 5 collected $37,290.95 throughout the weekend. The next highest donations were $20,577.87 collected by Bailey Crossroads Fire Station 10, $19,904.14 by Tysons Corner Fire Station 29, and $19,142.10 by Fairfax Station Fire Station 40.

IAFF Local 2068 coordinated the county effort with assistance from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue and Department of Public Safety Communications. This marks the 40th year Fairfax County Fire and Rescue has participated, while IAFF has been involved for 65 years.

The donations support numerous efforts of the DC/VA Muscular Dystrophy Association. This includes the annual MDA Children's Summer Camp, the MDA clinic at Georgetown University Hospital and Children's National Medical Center, research at the National Institutes of Health and Georgetown University, and programs to help people with neuromuscular disease live, go to school and work independently.