WHO: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
WHAT: MDA “Fill the Boot” Campaign
WHEN: 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 3, 2009
WHERE: Fairfax Center Fire and Rescue Station 40
4621 Legato Road, Fairfax, Virginia

Fairfax County firefighters and paramedics, and Local 2068, International Association of

Fire Firefighters (IAFF) will launch their annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), “Fill the

Boot” campaign, Thursday, September 3, 2009, 11:30 a.m., at Fairfax Center Fire and Rescue

Station 40.

The kick-off marks the official opening of the 2009 Labor Day Weekend campaign with the

first donated dollars being dropped into the MDA boot. Several families living with muscular

dystrophy will be present to speak about what it’s like living with the neuromuscular disease.

Fire Chief Ronald Mastin, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, and John Niemic, President,

IAFF, Local 2068, will be in attendance.

Firefighters will be collecting in high traffic areas and intersections throughout Fairfax

County beginning Labor Day weekend, for “Jerry’s Kids.” Last year, firefighters and other public

safety personnel collected over $502,000 from residents and visitors throughout the area. In

2008, the department was the second highest collecting fire service organization in the country.

Donations will help support MDA services and research programs, including MDA’s

outpatient clinics for people with neuromuscular diseases at Children’s National Medical Center

and Georgetown University. The department and the IAFF have a special partnership with

the MDA organization and has been a supporter for 55 years.