Beginning today and continuing through the month of September, off-duty Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue firefighters are launching a virtual Fill the Boot campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

In response to COVID-19 and a desire to prevent its spread in the communities we serve, Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union Local 1660 members are getting creative with their annual fundraiser to collect critical donations to fund research for treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other neuromuscular diseases.

Instead of standing at local intersections and asking passing motorists to drop a donation into their fire boots as they have in past years, firefighters invite community members to make a contact-free donation virtually by clicking here, or by texting ‘BOOT’ to 24325.

All funds collected through Tualatin Valley Firefighters Union Local 1660’s 2020 Fill the Boot effort support MDA’s life-enhancing programs, including support groups and clinics, and assist families with medical equipment and costs. MDA serves more than 1,800 families across the state of Oregon and Southwest Washington with more than 200 families in TVF&R’s service area that are affected by muscular dystrophy.

“As firefighters, we work with some of our community’s most vulnerable populations,” says Firefighter Grant Slagle, coordinator of Local 1660’s virtual Fill the Boot campaign. “That is why this event has always been such an important mission to our union membership. Many of us have had the blessing to know the children in our area who are affected by these challenging diseases and how much of a difference this event creates in their lives. Taking this mission out into our communities and receiving their overwhelming support year after year is inspiring.”

For the past 66 years, firefighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases that take away people’s ability to walk, move, smile, talk, and even breathe. To date, the International Association of Fire Fighters has raised more than $650 million for MDA. TVF&R firefighters have raised $857,000 since 2005 for the cause thanks to the generous support of the community.

"IAFF members display an unwavering support for MDA year after year, raising critical funds and awareness to help our families get the care they need," says MDA CEO and President Lynn O’Connor Vos. "We are so thankful to IAFF and Tualatin Valley Firefighters Local 1660 for continuing their commitment to cure neuromuscular disease and for the flexibility to go virtual through this pandemic to protect everyone on the frontlines in our communities.”

You can help by making a secure virtual donation today by clicking on the button below, or by texting ‘BOOT’ to 24325.