East Contra Costa Firefighters will be hosting a landmark fundraising event called “Fill the Boot” on April 30th and May 2nd to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has been a supporter of MDA for over 55 years. Fill the Boot Director and Vice President of Local 1230, Gil Guerrero explained, “We want to show the community how much we care about supporting local families with muscle disease. The people of East Contra Costa County have always been very supportive of the firefighters and we’re eager to get out there and support our local MDA District. Now more than ever, they need our help!” Local firefighters will be at prominent intersections throughout East Contra Costa County on April 30th and May 2nd from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m filling their boots for MDA. Look for them at Lone Tree Ave & Empire Way in Brentwood on Monday April 30th and on Wednesday, May 2nd look for them at Balfour Road & Fairview Avenue in Brentwood. On both days, you will find East Contra Costa firefighters collecting money from drivers and pedestrians to benefit MDA. The money raised from this event will help create a better quality of life for hundreds of local families living with neuromuscular disease. Each year East Contra Costa Firefighters team up with the other fire departments throughout Contra Costa County which make up the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230 to raise money for MDA. These heroes have been participating in the Fill-the-Boot fundraiser for over 10 years and in 2011 alone raised over $76,000.00! The funds raised will be used to help provide much-needed program services such as clinic visits and follow up care at our clinics at Stanford Medical Center, assistance with the purchase of wheelchairs, leg braces, and communications devices, support group sessions, MDA summer camp for youths, and ground-breaking research. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA is the largest non-governmental sponsor of neuromuscular disease research. MDA’s programs are funded almost entirely by the voluntary contributions of concerned individuals and cooperating organizations. Please come and support local firefighters helping make a muscle and make a difference for MDA! For more information, contact Kirsha Zupetz - MDA Executive Director for Greater San Francisco and East Bay Area at 925-356-0114 or email: kzupetz@mdausa.org.