Firefighters to "Fill the Boot"

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Karen Eubanks, Public Information Officer
August 17, 2000	(503) 642-0350 / (503) 229-9381 - pager

(Firefighters to "Fill the Boot"; Local Ambassadors to Lunch With Firefighters)

Next week, firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue will be "hitting the streets" in an effort to help Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). On August 23^rd, 24^th, and 25^th, firefighters will be asking motorists "Fill the Boot" by putting change and dollar bills into firefighters boots. Firefighters will at the following intersections from 8-10 a.m.:

Farmington Rd & Murray Boulevard in Beaverton
Tualatin-Sherwood Rd & Boones Ferry Road in Tualatin
99E & 10^th St. in Oregon City

This year’s MDA ambassadors, Alexi Hoefer and Kelsie Hoagland, and MDA officials will join TVF&R firefighters at a kick-off lunch from 11:30-12:30 pm, on Tuesday, August 22, at Fire Station 62 (3608 S.W. 209 Avenue, Aloha). The young sisters reside in Aloha and have a form of muscle disease covered by MDA. Firefighters will give them t-shirts and an engine ride.

For 45 years the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) – through its "Fill the Boot" event - has been a major contributor to MDA. The money that is collected goes to finding a cure for the disease, as well as medical treatment, equipment and summer camps. "The event is successful thanks to thousands of motorists who stop to contribute money in our fire boots," said Firefighter Steve Fisher, organizer of the District’s event. Volunteering as counselors for the kids, firefighters are also instrumental at MDA summer camps throughout the United States every year. Steve added, "MDA camps allow kids with muscular dystrophy to forget about their limitations and have a great summer experience." Steve and several other TVF&R firefighters help each year at MDA camps. # # #