During the 2017 Muscular Dystrophy Assocation Fill the Boot campaign, the members of the Albert Lea Fire Department took to the streets to help kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases live longer and grow stronger.

On July 3, more than $2,300 was raised to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“The firefighters in this area have once again shown tremendous dedication to the MDA mission,”  MDA Fundraising Coordinator Hannah Plagman said. “They take clearly take great pride in caring for MDA families through the Fill the Boot campaign.”

“This year’s Fill the Boot was an incredible success and we are grateful for the generosity of those in Albert Lea and the surrounding communities who have donated their money to help individuals with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases truly live unlimited,” she said.

Firefighters have taken part in MDA’s Fill the Boot tradition for more than 60 years, hitting the streets or storefronts asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to donate to MDA, joining the fight to find treatments and cures for devastating diseases that take away everyday abilities like walking, talking, hugging and even breathing.

According to a press release, funds raised help MDA’s efforts to fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of- the-art support groups and Care Centers, including the MDA Care Center at Gillette Children’s Hospital and the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. They also help send nearly 200 children from the Minnesota/Dakotas district to the MDA Summer Camp — Camp Courage — at no cost to their families.