Mooresville firefighters are state's 'Boot' best

By: Melinda Skutnick | Mooresville Tribune
Published: November 11, 2009

Raising more than $26,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this year, the Mooresville Fire Department ranked first among North Carolina fire departments participating in the annual Fill-The-Boot program.

For three weekends each year – in May, August and October – firefighters across the state collect donations around their respective towns for the MDA. And with their best year to date in 2009, the MFD's raised funds have put them at the top of the list among more than 60 departments statewide.

"The success of this year's campaign was due to the overwhelming generosity of the Mooresville community, the success of Chief Wes Greene, the department's MDA coordinator Jason Blackwell and, of course, the efforts of each and every Mooresville firefighter," said local MDA Executive Director Ruthie Mihal.

Blackwell said the MFD was able to amass more donations than previous years due to a change in collection sites. This year, the MFD began collecting money for the MDA at the main entrance of the Winslow Bay Commons shopping center off N.C. 150, relocating from Norman Station, which houses Walmart.

"That's how we raised more money this year," said Blackwell. "That was a benefit and more."

Last year, the MFD fell behind in donations, he said. But changing the location seemed to be the key in putting the department at the head of the pack in North Carolina.

"It feels great. It's a real big accomplishment for us," he added. "It feels good for the department to be recognized for this."

Although raising contributions – which help provide direct services and equipment to those affected by neuromuscular diseases – is the main way members of the MFD are involved with the MDA, Blackwell said firefighters also participate through several other activities, such as the annual Summer Camp program for children.

"Some guys from the fire department are actually camp counselors where they stay the whole week. We've had several people go out and do that and it's been real beneficial for them."

Helping the MDA through a variety of means, Blackwell said, is "just something the fire department has adopted for many years now and the MFD especially has been doing it for a consecutive number of years."

Whether it's serving lunch to hungry camp kids in South Carolina or joining the MDA for its annual fundraising "lockup" at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Blackwell said many Mooresville firefighters remain as active with MDA events as possible.

"We stay pretty involved with it all year 'round," he added.

Noted Mihal, "Firefighters are a national sponsor of the MDA. Their commitment to the communities they serve has been a long-standing tradition."

For more information, contact the local MDA office at 704-663-1181.