Milton Firefighters Join Fight Against Muscular Dystrophy

Community urged to save their change, help ‘fill the boot’ July 27-29

Milton firefighters will be outside the Wal-Mart on Winward Parkway and at intersections throughout the city July 27-29 to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the fight against neuromuscular disease.

For over 50 years, firefighters across the nation have teamed up with MDA to fight muscle disease. MDA commends these national heroes, as well as Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has proclaimed the month of August as MDA Firefighter Appreciation Month.

Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood and the Milton City Council have joined in as well, proclaiming the week of July 22 as MDA Firefighter Appreciation Week in the city.“I am extremely proud of these men and women, who, at a moment’s notice, risk their lives subduing fires and saving residents from emergencies that could be deadly situations,” Lockwood said. Milton firefighters are asking the entire community to save their change to help them “fill the boot.” Proceeds will support MDA’s efforts to continue serving over 2,200 families in the Atlanta and north Georgia areas by providing assistance with the purchase and maintenance of wheelchairs, leg braces and speech communication devices, as well as funding research aimed at curing neuromuscular disease.

In addition, children living with muscular dystrophy, ages 6-21, can attend MDA Summer Camp at Camp Walk-n-Roll in Rutledge, GA for one week where they will participate in specialized events and develop new friendships, build self-confidence, and discover independence.“I hope this is a huge success in our city,” the mayor said. “We hope to make this an annual event.”

At the end of their fundraising campaign, a representative from the City of Milton fire service will present the check during the 2007 MDA Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon broadcast on WUPA, CW Atlanta, on Sept. 2-3.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to find treatments and cures for 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA is the first non-profit organization honored with the American Medical Association Lifetime Achievement Award for “significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.”For more information about the “Fill the Boot” campaign or MDA, please contact Milton Fire Lt. Chris Coker at 770.740.2406.