Carrollton Fire Department will celebrate a 60-year partnership between the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) with a kick-off of the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign.

The campaign, which raises money for children and adults affected by muscular disease, will run from Tuesday, April 1 through Thursday, April 3, and again on Tuesday, April 22 through Thursday, April 24. Local 2182 fire fighters across eight stations will go out into the City at major intersections with fireman’s boots in hand to collect donations from citizens and passing motorists.

“Fire fighters do more for MDA and the families we serve than any other group,” said MDA Fundraising Coordinator Heather Street. “In the Carrollton area, they spend countless hours every year participating in the Fill the Boot drive. We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who have made a profound impact on our families’ health, wellbeing, and quality of life.”

Street said Carrollton’s Fill the Boot campaign is particularly exciting because it will begin the effort for the entire metroplex this year. In 2013, Carrollton’s Fire Department alone raised more than $14,000.

Funds raised through the 2014 Carrollton Fill the Boot event will help support MDA's programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Camp John Marc in Meridian, TX.

“The Muscular Dystrophy Association Fill the Boot campaign is a very special cause to the Carrollton Fire Department,” said Jon David Kubicki, Fill the Boot coordinator for Carrollton Fire Department. “It aligns perfectly with our mission, which is to support and protect the community. With this campaign, we are able to raise not only money, but also awareness and hope, for those affected by muscular dystrophy.”

MDA and the International Association Fire Fighters joined forces in 1954, forming a partnership committed to saving lives. As the MDA's largest national sponsor, the IAFF fuels MDA's mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases.

For more information on the Fill the Boot campaign, visit facebook.com/mdadallas or cityofcarrollton.com/fire.