The Nashville Fire Department and IAFF Local 140 are preparing to launch their annual Fill the Boot campaign, a collaborative effort to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The city's announcement states that starting tomorrow, local firefighters will be soliciting donations from the community through September 10, starting each day at 8 a.m.
Fundraisers will be seen on Nashville sidewalks and streets, approaching passersby with boots ready to be filled with whatever financial contribution people can offer. With boots in hand, dedicated firefighters from Nashville Fire Department and IAFF Local 140 will be asking pedestrians, motorists, customers, and other passersby for donations. These acts of solicitation have a longstanding history, starting since the partnership between the IAFF and MDA commenced back in 1954.
This decades-long alliance has successfully raised over $700 million for MDA to date. The funds are channeled towards research and the development of new treatments, making a notable impact with the introduction of more than 20 new FDA-approved therapies just since 2015. The campaign's efforts have also ensured that individuals affected by muscular dystrophy continue to receive the highest quality care from leading medical professionals.
In a statement echoing the campaign's significance, NFD Director Chief William Swann told the city's official website, "For 70 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Fill the Boot campaign has raised critical funds for research and care for people who live with a neuromuscular disease, and we are honored to be a part of their effort for this important mission reaching a historic milestone this year." The statement underscores both the campaign's dedication and the sense of pride among firefighters participating in this enduring tradition.
As IAFF Local 140 members join in the tradition of supporting for MDA, the expectation is that the generosity of Nashville's community will show once again, extending a legacy of charity that has long been part of the city's culture. The campaign encourages both residents and visitors to contribute in the spirit of giving.
