TVF&R To 'Fill The Boot' For MDA Beginning Next Week

BEAVERTON, OR — Keep an eye out for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue firefighters over the next two weeks while they conduct their annual Fill the Boot campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Off-duty firefighters will setup along roadways in Beaverton, Wilsonville, Newberg, and Tigard to solicit donations from passing commuters during scheduled times and days between May 21 and June 2.

Firefighters across the nation have participated in the Fill the Boot fundraising campaign for the past 64 years, providing funds to help the association research treatments and cures for various life-threatening muscle diseases, according to TVF&R spokeswoman Cassandra Ulven.

Additionally, funds raised during the campaign also help pay for MDA summer camps for kids with muscle diseases, allowing the kids to participate in a week's worth of activities they may not otherwise get to enjoy.

Since they began, the International Association of Fire Fighters have contributed nearly $275 million to Fill the Boot campaigns for MDA. TVF&R alone has reportedly raised nearly $740,000 since 2005, Ulven said.

Folks interested in donating will find TVF&R firefighters at the following locations at the following dates and times:

Beaverton

• May 21 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• At the intersection of Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway and Highway 217

Wilsonville

• May 22 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• At the intersection of Southwest Wilsonville and Southwest Boones Ferry roads

Newberg

• June 1 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Along First Street, between North Meridian and River streets downtown

Tigard

• June 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• At the intersection of Bridgeport and Lower Boones Ferry roads; additional donation stations will be setup within Bridgeport Village at the REI Tualatin store and Whole Foods Market Bridgeport.

Firefighters will accept all cash and check donations made payable to MDA. Donations can also be made online at FillTheBoot.DonorDrive.com.

Image via Todd S. Holder/Shutterstock