By Mary O’KEEFE

On Saturday, firefighters were out in force across the nation to bring attention to and raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Local firefighters joined in the national fundraiser for MDA, asking community members to “Fill the Boot.”

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is one of the largest national sponsors of the MDA, according to the MDA website.

“This is the [IAFF’s] charity of choice,” said Capt. Phil Ambrose of Glendale Fire Station 29.

Ambrose and his team of firefighters were at each corner of Honolulu Avenue and Ocean View Boulevard on Saturday. As cars pulled up, passengers and drivers would offer dollars and coins to put into a boot held out by a firefighter.

Children walked up to the firefighters with their nickels and dimes and with each donation a sticker was given.

“We are doing [Fill the Boot] at other stations,” Ambrose said. “Most of these guys [taking donations] are off service.” They came in to help raise funds for the MDA. The teams were there from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.

The IAFF has raised millions of dollars throughout the years via the Fill the Boot campaigns. The association has contributed an estimated $275 million to MDA since 1954.

  Mary Okeefe