Walled Lake Firefighters Raise
$3,214 for MDA

On June 30, 2007, ten Walled Lake firefighters stood at 3 locations with boots in hand, for their annual Fill-the-Boot fundraising campaign for children and adults with muscle-wasting diseases. Their dedicated efforts raised $3,214 to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Michigan firefighters support MDA (www.mda.org) annually. Last year, the Walled Lake Fire Department raised $1,701 during the campaign on boot at a time. This year, they were able to nearly double their donations, thanks to the increased support of community members.

"This years Fill-the-Boot efforts were lead by Captain Jason Gonzalez and Fire Marshall Jim Coomer and included ten firefighters who dedicated their personal time to help raise funds for MDA," said Chief Ken Van Sparrentak, "We are always enthusiastic to participate and enjoy helping MDA in anyway that we can."

"Time and again, these lifesaving heroes give so much of themselves for 'my kids,'" MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said. "They've made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many. I hope people will see their tireless dedication and be moved and inspired to do their part."

Fill-the-Boot funds support MDA's services locally and nationally, including medical clinics staffed with specialists in muscle disease and accessible summer camp for kids. Local clinics and camps benefiting from Fill-the-Boot funds include Children's Hospital in Detroit, a 3 week long session of summer camp at Camp Cavell in Lexington, and a Lions Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer. Local research is currently being performed at Michigan State University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. There are over 1,800 families affected within the Metro Detroit area.

These funds also help finance MDA's worldwide research program seeking treatments for diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease). Up-to-date information about MDA services and research can be found at
www.als-mda.org.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive service, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributions.

For more information, please contact Anthonie Burke, Regional Coordinator at 248-474-0235 or check out our websites: www.mda.org and ww.myspace.com/mdadetroit.