Firefighters from several departments in Placer County joined forces this past weekend to raise funds for the local chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Firefighters from Roseville, Rocklin, Placer County Fire Station 100 and Sierra College Fire Academy cadets donated $41,000 to the MDA after a two day “fill the boot” event in Roseville.

Fill the boot proceeds benefit local families affected by diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy.

The funds raised will help send some 300 local children with muscular dystrophy to a week of barrier-free MDA summer camp in Pollock Pines.

Proceeds also support MDA’s worldwide research program and its national network of 225 clinics.

The International Association of Firefighters is the single largest contributor to the MDA, raising more than $300 million since 1954.

Firefighters insist that the members of the community who generously donate are the real heroes in these fundraising events.

To learn more about fill the boot and other MDA programs, visit MDA.org.

~ Toby Lewis