Firefighters to collect for charity

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: August 21, 2008

STAFFORD — The Stafford County Board of Supervisors has given a green light to the Stafford Fire and Rescue Department to ask for money. The funds collected will not go to pay for new uniforms or equipment, however, but toward donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to benefit children with the debilitating disease.

Chairman George Schwartz presented the proclamation at the start of the supervisors’ meeting Tuesday. The ruling exempts the department from the county’s no-panhandling law for its “Fill the Boot” campaign Labor Day Weekend, August 30 - September 1. Motorists stopped at stop traffic lights will be asked to place money in firefighters’ boots at various locations across the county. The department said 100 percent of the money collected goes to the MDA.

“We’ve all been touched in some way or another by someone who has muscular dystrophy,“ said Lt. Matt Warren, a Stafford firefighter.

Warren said the disease affects a friend of his daughter, who is in the eighth grade. Warren said some Stafford firefighters attend an annual Maryland-based camp for children affected by muscular dystrophy. He said it helps the children build self-confidence and allows them to have a good time.

Nicholas Butler, 12, of Aquia, was also on hand at the event. Butler suffers from muscular dystrophy, and made an appearance before the board of supervisors in his wheelchair. Gathered for a group photo with local firefighters after the proclamation, he said he was glad the firefighters asked him to appear.

“I don’t know, they just like having me around I guess,”  said Nicholas. 

The 12-year-old’s mother, June Butler, said her family assisted the department in previous years with the Fill the Boot collection, but will be out of town this year. She thanked the firefighters for their continued commitment to the cause.

Warren said this is the third year the department has participated in the donation drive, setting its highest goal ever at $35,000. Last year the department collected a record $25,000 and felt it could set the bar higher this year.

“It’s a great way for the firefighters to give of their time, in an international organization, and it doesn’t cost the county any money,” said Rob Brown, Stafford County fire chief. Brown said he has worked with the MDA for more than 27 years and holds the organization in high esteem.

Stafford’s Fill the Boot campaign coincides with the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, which saw its first broadcast 42 years ago, according to the MDA Web site. The 21-and-a-half hour international broadcast raises millions each year to help children with multiple types of muscular dystrophy, and features

Hollywood stars, as well as musical acts who encourage the audience to call in and donate money.

Warren said if the fire department does not reach its goal of $35,000, it has planned other charity events, including a Redskins ticket giveaway, to make up the
difference.