(I'm starting to think that Duh knows me...)
Wow... I come back from a long weekend of Coordinating the 2007 Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Departments Labor day Weekend Fill the Boot Campaign for Muscular Dystrophy and I find this. Interesting.
First of all, thanks to the visitors, citizens and employees of Fairfax County, the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics is now the 2007 Fill the Boot champ, edging out Houston, Texas by over $5,000. Fairfax County Fire & Rescue employees, apparatus shop workers, communications professionals and the children of some members (collecting in the safety of Lake Anne Plaza), raised $536,026.32 for the Greater Washington Muscular Dystrophy Association.
I would also like to thank Chairman Connolly and the Board of Supervisors, Fire Chief Ron Mastin and Local 2068 President Mike Mohler who collaboratively make the annual Labor Day Weekend campaign possible. Without their joint efforts, we would not be so successful.
Now then, to those who have support us on here, thanks.
I understand your frustration dealing with the traffic and safety. Prior to every campaign, Fairfax County Firefighters are given very specific directions on proper collection techniques and safety rules. We are highly trained men and women who work daily in the roads, streets, highways and freeways of Fairfax County... we are well aware of the hazards and take every step we can to minimize those hazards.
To clear some misconceptions I have seen here up:
- We are primarily employees of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue. There are some volunteers in Fairfax County, but every front line Engine, Ladder, Rescue and Ambulance is staffed 24/7 by the paid personnel of Fairfax County.
- We ordinarily do not collect for anything but the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Some years back, when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, we donated a portion of our collection to the IAFF Hurricane Relief Fund who helped IAFF members who suffered personal loss while they protected the cities, towns and counties that they are paid to protect.
- If Duh calls 911 (or someone calls on his behalf), the professionals of Fairfax County Fire & Rescue will respond quickly and treat him (and/or his 57 foot motor yacht) with respect and dignity regardless of what he calls us. ;-)
In regards to the history, or 'Why MDA'?
"A father in desperate need ran to IAFF member George
Graney's Fire Engine Company 1 in South Boston. The
man's name was Charlie Crowley, father of two crippled
sons and a high school friend of George Graney. 'They
will not live to be 21 years old,' said a somber Crowley.
Crowley's sons couldn't walk, attend school, run around,
or play games with their friends. The doctors had
diagnosed both the children with muscular dystrophy, an
incurable and dreadful disease.
Charlie Crowley needed money to take care of his sons.
IAFF Local 718 member Graney immediately rounded up
20 fire fighters and set in motion a door-to-door canister
drive that raised $5,000. Graney soon learned that there
were many families and suffering children like those of
Crowley, and Graney made it his lifetime mission to help
such families and children.
Finally, between August 9-14 1954, Graney raised his voice
at the IAFF's 22nd convention in Miami and proposed
to make MDA the International's "charity of choice. This
marked the beginning of a formal bond between the IAFF
and MDA. The IAFF has emerged as the single largest
sponsor of the MDA under the leadership of General
President Schaitberger, who is also a Vice President of
MDA."
In the 53 year partnership, the IAFF has raised over $300 million for MDA.
I also saw a mention something like 'Hell... the money just goes to the fatcat CEO.' To that, I give you this video that explains why we do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mJIYBJsAKc
I look forward to answering any more questions that anyone might have about the Fill the Boot campaign.
Kobersteen
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2007 03:03PM by Kobersteen.