Firefighters take to the streets to fight muscular dystrophy

Friday morning commuters in Beaverton could see some friendly faces along both sides of the roadway.

Off-duty firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue will be asking motorists to “Fill the Boot” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at two locations in town.

Between 7 and 10 a.m., these volunteers will be posted along Farmington Road at Highway 217 and 185th Avenue at the Sunset Highway, where they will be asking motorists to donate cash into their firefighter boots.

Their goal is to raise as much as last year’s event, which brought in $53,000.

Individuals not planning to drive through the Beaverton “Fill the Boot” intersections can donate online at tvfr.com or at any TVF&R office or fire station. Checks should be made out to MDA.

There are more than 100 families in TVF&R’s service area receiving support from the MDA.

The money collected by the firefighters is dedicated to the Columbia/Willamette Chapter of MDA, which provides assistance for medical care expenses, specialized equipment and other costs including MDA camp and local support groups.

The International Association of Fire Fighters has been a major contributor to MDA for more than 50 years through its annual “Fill the Boot” event.