The annual Fill the Boot campaign, sponsored by the firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue, surpassed their goal, raising more than $20,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Off-duty and volunteer firefighters, support staff and family members braved the August heat at various intersections in Bonney Lake, Sumner and Edgewood. They also collected money at the Sumner Art & Rhubarb Pie Festival and public safety night at the Tacoma Rainier’s baseball game.

The East Pierce International Association of Firefighters Local 3520 coordinate the annual event to assist families affected by muscular dystrophy in the Sumner, Lake Tapps, Edgewood, Milton, South Prairie and Bonney Lake communities.

“The great thing is that the money we raise stays local to help people in our area affected by Muscular Dystrophy,” said Firefighter Andrew House, who spearheaded the event this year. “Our community has been incredibly generous. We sincerely appreciate your support.”

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency founded in 1950 to fight 43 neuromuscular diseases, including ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, which affect millions of Americans. The term muscular dystrophy describes a group of diseases characterized by the degeneration of voluntary muscles. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual, private contributors. MDA seeks no government grants, United Way funding or fees from those it serves.