Giving Muscular Dystrophy the boot

Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services attended Canadian Tire at 8 a.m. Friday, but not in uniform with sirens blazing.

Local firefighters were there until 8 p.m. collecting finds during their annual Fill the Boot charity drive for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

“Firefighters have been involved since the 70s,” firefighter and MD Committee member Jim Colizza told SooToday. “We have a long standing tradition with the boot drives and Muscular Dystrophy.”

More than 800 fire departments and associations across Canada have offered support to Muscular Dystrophy Canada, raising on average $3 million annually.

Firefighters make up the organization’s largest network of supporters.

Colizza said each local boot drive, hosted annually in the spring and fall, brings in approximately $5,000 to support the cause.

“We have some new families in town,” he said. “We’ve seen an increase in the need for funds, so this is a really good way to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy and help these families out as well as other local charities.”

“Every time we’re out, the community really supports us. The people of Sault Ste. Marie have been great, donating anything they can.”