FRESNO (KMJ) — Local firefighters have been out in force to raise money for the Central Valley Muscular Dystrophy Association as part of their ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign.
Fresno and Clovis City Firefighters were on three intersections Thursday morning, asking for donations to help those suffering with muscular dystrophy.
The Central Valley Muscular Dystrophy Association helps pay for support groups, cover medical expenses, pay for medical equipment, and help cover the annual Youth Summer Camp.
The ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign was first established in 1954. It was a partnership formed between the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), to improve the quality of life of those who have the condition.
“In a career where you’re so dependent on your job mastering your body to do this type of work that we do, to see someone suffer from a condition where they don’t necessarily have control of their body, it’s important for us to give them a little bit more so that we can make their life better”, says Fresno Fire’s Pete Martinez.
Those who aren’t fire fighters any more are also helping out – Mickey Kaitangin has been retired for 22 years.
“My life as a fire fighter was to serve people”, he explains. “That’s because I’m a believer and He wants us to love one another and stand up for a good cause”.
“So that’s why I do this. I’m 80 years old now and I want to continue to do this”.
KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew joined the firefighters as they started the donation drive, and you can hear his report as it aired on KMJ:
