The Bradford Fire Fighters Local #655 Fill-The-Boot campaign
will kick off today at the intersection of Davis and Boylston
streets as firefighters will be attempting to “fill those
boots.”
On Tuesday, the group also began a project to build a ramp at
the home of Dennis Caldwell, a local 14-year-old boy who has been
diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The ramp has been
donated by Care for Kids for Caldwell, who has developed a close
relationship with the local firefighters.
All proceeds of the Fill-The-Boot campaign are donated to the
Muscular Dystrophy Association, and having Caldwell’s case so close
has provided some extra motivation. Their relationship and the hope
of building the ramp at Caldwell’s home, which was completed
Wednesday, was also the motivation for the wishing wells that have
been placed at Northwest Savings Bank and Country Fair. There are
also collection cans that have been placed at various businesses. A
hot dog sale for the MDA cause is also planned for July 13 in the
Wal-Mart parking lot.
“Dennis has been down to the station to hang out with the
firefighters quite a few times,” said local Fill-The-Boot campaign
director Terry Brinker. “We like to show him around the place and
just socialize with him.”
According to Brinker, the fire department first learned of
Caldwell’s situation when Brinker attended an MDA conference in
Washington. During a discussion there, a representative from MDA
mentioned that the Caldwell family was in need of a ramp. Through
further discussions at the conference and the donation of the ramp
by Care for Kids, Caldwell now has his ramp.
The Bradford firefighters were able to raise ,4,398 for Jerry’s
Kids in 2007 but are setting their sights much higher for the 2008
campaign. This year, the Bradford City Fire Department has raised
its fundraising goal to ,8,500 to support the organization and,
more personally, Caldwell.
Committed to the eradication of neuromuscular diseases, the
International Association of Fire Fighters is a longtime friend and
supporter of MDA. Fill-The-Boot drives are the primary means by
which the IAFF has raised nearly ,300 million for MDA since
1954.
The funds collected through the campaign support MDA’s services
both locally and nationally, including medical clinics staffed with
specialists in muscle disease and accessible summer camps for
kids.
Today’s events will kick off at 11 a.m. and firefighters will be
parked at the CVS parking lot.
