Goal is to raise $20K for families
By CHRISTINA WALKER Special to the Daily Press
CLOVERFIELD BLVD Santa Monica firefight-ers came out in force on their day off to raise money for those suffering from neuromuscular diseases.
Wearing their helmets and turnout pants, 10 men from the Santa Monica Fire Department gathered on Lincoln Boulevard between Colorado Avenue and Michigan Avenue to fill their boots with money for charity Tuesday.
The men raised $4,188 dollars in the first day of a three-day effort that will continue today and Friday.
Although the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has a long standing relationship with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), this is the first year that Local 1109 has directly participated. Capt. Lee McNett spearheaded the local effort after being personally impacted by the disease. McNett has a friend whose daughter lives with a neuromuscular disease and relies on a wheelchair for mobility. McNett said that when he suggested getting involved this year it was natural for everyone to rally around the idea.
“In a fire service family, when one person puts the word out that we need to help someone, everyone steps up with their support,” McNett said.
The 10 fire fighters not only worked from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, but also put in a full shift the night before without going home to rest and recoup.
“They really deserve the recognition for the work they’re doing,” Erin Kelly, program coordinator for MDA, said regarding Local 1109. Kelly is excited by the fire fighters’ participation this year. She said that although a fundraising goal has not been set, the MDA would love to raise $20,000 from Santa Monicans by the end of the week.
Profits from the fundraiser are used to run local camps, provide equipment and services, and aid in research that benefits the 6,000 families in Southern California who live with neuromuscular diseases.
MDA is a privately funded organization and one of the world leaders in research. According to McNett, the IAFF raised $26 million to support the organization’s work last year.
A location has not yet been determined for Friday morning, but Fire Fighters will be out Wednesday on the corner of Cloverfield Boulevard and Interstate 10 refilling their boots from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2008. Read the original PDF.