AFD hosts annual Fill the Boot fundraiser at busy Amarillo intersections

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·2 min read

Amarillo Fire Department is hosting its annual Fill the Boot fundraiser in an effort to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The fundraiser begins Thursday and will continue through Saturday, Sept. 2.

The national campaign began with a partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters and MDA to help raise funds and awareness for people in the United States living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases. The partnership began almost 70 years ago nationwide, with the Amarillo area fundraisers contributing to the cause for more than 20 years.

Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.
Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.
Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, over Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.
Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, over Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.

According to AFD, the firefighters are hoping to surpass last year's total funds raised of $55,101, with a goal of $60,000.

"We are optimistic that we can raise more than what we did last year. ... This is something that, here at the fire department, we care greatly about. We are happy to assist and to raise funds for this cause every year and use our labor force to do so. This is something we are very passionate about. This campaign is something that we have done annually, and all 100% of the donations go to the cause," said AFD Captain Jeremy Hill.

Like previous years, Amarillo firefighters will take shifts standing on high traffic intersections throughout Amarillo collecting donations for MDA. AFD stresses that all of the donations benefit the Fill the Boot Campaign for MDA. Drivers are asked to be extra aware of firefighters collecting donations at these intersections.

Intersections where donations will be collected from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day include:

  • I-40 and Ross

  • 34th and Bell

  • I-40 and Western

  • 45th and Coulter

  • 34th and Soncy

Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.
Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.
Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, over Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.
Amarillo Fire Department hosts its annual Fill the Boot Campaign, collecting donations at intersections across Amarillo to raise funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, over Labor Day Weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2.

"This campaign not only serves as a fundraising initiative, but it also raises awareness, and we are happy to be a part of that," Hill said. "It also fosters a sense of solidarity in the community because it's not just something the fire department is doing; it is something we all come together to do. The Fill the Boot Campaign has become a sign of hope and compassion in the fight against muscular dystrophy, and the Amarillo Fire Department is proud to be a part of that."

For those seeking more information on MDA, visit them online at https://www.mda.org/ .

To make a virtual donation, visit them online at https://mda.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=824&referrer=topdonatebutton%20mdaorg .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo firefighers Fill the Boot for muscular dystrophy