Waukegan Firefighter Paul Rice collects donations in his boot

Image via WikipediaIf you see a firefighter with a boot in hand remember that by helping "Fill the Boot" you are helping to fund research on the 43 different diseases being fought by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The International Association of Firefighters Waukegan Firefighters Local 473 manned the intersection of Grand Avenue and Green Bay Road in the scorching heat Friday to collect money for MDA.

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Waukegan Firefighter Paul Rice collects donations in his boot during a Fill the Boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Grand Avenue and Green Bay Road in Waukegan.
(Ryan Pagelow / News-Sun)

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Waukegan firefighters Greg Zahn and Beth Moss collect donatons during a Fill the Boot drive at Green Bay Road and Grand Avenue in Waukegan.

"We've been doing this for over 10 years," said Lauralea Thomas, public relations coordinator for the local firefighters union.
Last year, Waukegan had three intersections as collection points, and they netted $19,000 for MDA. This year they were hoping to collect $10,000 to $15,000, said Meg Krancic, fund-raising coordinator for MDA Chicago District.
"We've been partnered with the International Association of Firefighters for 56 years," she said.
"They are our largest sponsor nationally," providing over $28 million over the last year for research and programs, she said.
"They are integral to all the things we do as an organization," said Krancic. The boot collections are timed to lead up to the 'Jerry's Kids' telethon over Labor Day weekend on WGN-TV.
Kerry and Marty McNicholas of Lindenhurst make a point of visiting the Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District boot drive to show their appreciation. Their son, Liam, 6, was diagnosed at age 4 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
"We are very thankful," said Kerry McNicholas. "It's great to see the firefighters out there. This disease is pretty devastating to the families, and any community support is wonderful," she said.
Her son will be able to go to a special summer camp in the near future that is funded by donations made during the boot collections.
More boots
Besides Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, and the Greater Round Lake Area Fire Protection District were filling boots for MDA on Friday. Fire departments that participate in Fill the Boot campaigns in the coming weeks include Zion, which will collect donations during the annual Jubilee Days parade on Labor Day, Gurnee, Highland Park, Highwood, and North Chicago.