Personnel from Dawson County Emergency Services will be heading to the streets Aug. 27-29 as they team up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to “fill the boot.”

Members will be at the Dawson County Courthouse, Wal-Mart, Ingles and Kroger to collect funds in support of MDA.

According to Lanier Swafford, chief of Dawson County Emergency Services, boot drives give the community an opportunity to donate money that will be used in the battle against neuromuscular diseases and ultimately give back to the community.

“Even in these tough economic times, we still encourage people to donate,” Swafford said. “All of the money stays in Georgia and goes to support local families. Currently, the MDA is assisting eight families in Dawson County, and with your help, we can hopefully find a cure for such a horrible disease.”

The local department has been a supporter of MDA for six years and will have 10-15 firefighters out filling their boots this weekend.

Last year the fire department raised over $8,000 and is looking forward to this year’s drive.

The proceeds collected from the event will aid local children and adults living with neuromuscular diseases by providing wheelchairs, leg braces, clinic visits, support groups, and a chance for a week-long summer camp for local children ages 6-17 to attend.

For more than 55 years, firefighters and MDA have partnered to fight neuromuscular diseases. MDA applauds these heroes, who not only battle flames, but also muscular dystrophy.

MDA is a volunteer health agency working to defeat more than 40 forms of muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs or worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.