Arlington Fire Department and the Muscular Dystrophy Association will partner in the fight against neuromuscular diseases during the annual Fill the Boot campaign. Arlington Assistant Chief Jim Self, Arlington Fire Department officers, MDA officials and special guests will begin this year's campaign with a media kick-off.

The event will be held at Arlington Fire Station 1, located at the corner of West Main Street and South West Street, on Thursday, May 17 at 9 am.

In 2010, firefighters collected on duty but off the streets raising $11,000 in donations at store fronts of local businesses.Robert Kornegay, Vice President of Arlington Professional Fire Fighters Local 1329, worked with Fire Chief Don Crowson in 2011 to get the firefighters filling the boot on duty and on the streets resulting in a grand total of $45,000, an increase of $34,000. The 2012 goal is $50,000.

Robert Kornegay said, "We set a goal for $30,000 last year and were so ecstatic and proud to exceed that." Fill the Boot is one of our proudest accomplishments," Kornegay said. "We set our goal this year at $50,000. I think we can hit that number and make an impact on the life of people living with muscular dystrophy."

Arlington firefighters will be on the streets filling the boot for MDA May 17 to 19 at various intersections mainly during rush hour traffic. All fire companies will be in service and available for calls as necessary.

Firefighters across the country are the top contributors to MDA having raised more than $435 million since becoming a supporter in 1954. In 2011, Texas firefighters led the country collecting more than $3.5 million for MDA.

Funds raised by Arlington Fire Department and dozens of other departments in the Metroplex benefit nearly 3,000 families who are affected by a neuromuscular disease. More than 77 cents of every dollar raised by MDA supporters like firefighters goes directly to direct services and research. MDA has invested more than $12.4 million in research funding in Texasover the last 5 years. During the same time period, MDA has provided more than $12.1 million in services to individuals living in Texas.

MDA clinics serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area include The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Neurology, Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth and Neurology Associates of Arlington. Other vital services include support group sessions, assistance with the repair of durable medical equipment and the children's favorite, summer camp.

Please join us in promoting this more than 55-year tradition of supporting MDA through Fill the Boot. For more information contact MDA via Katie Wharry at 817-338-1024 or Arlington Firefighters Association via Robert Kornegay, at 817-992-9929.