The tradition began in 1952, when a father in desperate need ran to IAFF member George Graney’s Fire Engine Company 1 in South Boston. IAFF Local 718 immediately rounded up 20 Fire fighters and set in motion a door to door canister drive that raised $5000. In 1953, Graney launched a citywide fundraising campaign with the help of Boston fire fighters and made appeals across Massachusetts on behalf of children with muscular dystrophy.
Realizing the potential that fire fighters had to offer the cause and their excellent image in the community, Graney approached and persuaded IAFF members to support MDA. In August 1954, Graney raised his voice at the IAFF’s biannual convention in Miami and proposed that MDA be established as the International’s “charity of choice”. MDA Goodwill Ambassador Luis Grant, who had a form of muscular dystrophy, gave an emotional presentation to IAFF members, helping to gain unanimous approval of Graney’s proclamation. This marked the beginning of a formal bond between the IAFF and MDA.
Since then, fire fighters have taken this vision and made it their mission, raising funds a thousand ways: by placing collection jars in stores and restaurants, sponsoring charity softball games and running auctions. These days, their signature fundraising activity is the MDA Fill-the-Boot drive.
The IAFF has emerged as the single-largest sponsor of MDA, contributing more than $350 million since 1954. The International has renewed that commitment to MDA under the leadership of General President Harold A. Schaitberger, who is also an MDA national vice president. Nearly 300,000 IAFF members in the United States and Canada continue to break their fundraising record year after year- all to benefit Jerry’s Kids.
| 2012 Fundraising |
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PFFNH's goal this year is to raise $500,000 for the MDA through "Fill the Boot" and the Trans-NH Bike Ride.
This year's Trans-NH Bike Ride brought in $206,700! Thank you to all the Locals and riders for the tremendous effort in making this event a huge success!
Fisher Cats Fire Fighter Appreciation Night raised $4,420 for the MDA! Let's keep up the momentum to reach our goal and raise awareness for this cause.
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Page Last Updated: May 15, 2013 (11:18:45)
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Fisher Cats MDA Firefighter Appreciation Night 2013.pdf
