HOUSTON - Houston, Texas, February 21, 2018 – On Wednesday March 21 at 10 a.m., the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the Houston Fire Department and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341 will hold a news conference to kick off the annual “Fill the Boot” campaign.

The campaign will begin on April 14 when the fire department donates their time to fill their boots with funds from Houston citizens while standing on intersections citywide for MDA. The news conference will be held at:

HFD Fire Station 16

1700 Richmond Ave.

Houston, TX 77098

Scheduled speakers include:

• Samuel Peña, Houston Fire Chief
• Marty Lancton, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341 President
• Katelyn Alexander, MDA Fundraising Coordinator
• Terry Cheeley and her son Will, MDA Family

Houston fire fighters will fan out across the city with boots in hand for this year’s drive on April 14, 21, 28 and May 5 at intersections across the Houston area.

MDA’s spirited “Fill the Boot” campaign is an honored tradition in which thousands of dedicated fire fighters in hometowns across America hit the streets or storefronts asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passersby to donate to MDA, using their collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger.

Funds raised through the 2018 Houston “Fill the Boot” campaign will empower families with life-enhancing resources and support that open new possibilities and maximize independence so that can experience the world without any limits.

Houston fire fighters have raised $8 million for MDA through the years. Houston firefighters are especially proud that their community’s support also has helped them become the nation’s second-largest MDA “Fill the Boot” campaign.

Contributions help MDA’s efforts to fund groundbreaking research and life enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and Clinics, including the MDA’s pediatric clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital and ALS and adult clinics at Houston Methodist Hospital. Contributions also help send local Houston kids to MDA Summer Camp at no cost to their families at Camp For All in Burton, Texas where they can experience a week of barrier-free fun while gaining confidence and independence. The camp is held every year in June.

MDA and IAFF Partnership

As MDA’s largest national partner, the IAFF fuels MDA's mission to fund research breakthroughs across diseases; care for kids and adults from day one; and provide families with services and support.

IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization's unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and fire fighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. Last year, nearly $24 million was raised by fire fighters at more than 2,500 “Fill the Boot” events. To date the IAFF has raised $630 million for MDA.