Joined by the management of Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) officials, and local off-duty firefighters, Portland Fire and Rescue (PF&R) Chief John Klum and Portland Firefighters Association (PFFA) President Jim Forquer commemorated the beginning of the annual Fill the Boot fundraising activities for MDA this morning by placing the ceremonial "First Dollar in the Boot."

Each year, Portland firefighters look forward to this opportunity to demonstrate their support and commitment to MDA and their mission of helping those with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

This is the first year that all of the major metro-area fire department unions are coordinating their Fill the Boot efforts together, and will be holding events throughout the region until August 14, 2010.

Last year, Portland, Gresham, Clackamas, Hillsboro, Vancouver, Tualatin Valley, and Scappoose firefighters raised a combined total of over $105,000 in Fill the Boot efforts, and seek to exceed that amount in 2010. The money donated to Portland’s Fill the Boot effort is dedicated to the local chapter of the MDA. This chapter helps provide assistance for medical care expenses, specialized equipment, and other costs including MDA Camp, and local support groups. Additionally, many local firefighters serve as counselors at MDA Camp.

Wrapping up the event was a donation from PFFA of $3000 from its Charitable Fund - money directly donated by Portland firefighters.

A big thanks goes out to Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub for their support and donation of treats, fruit, coffee, and downstairs restaurant for the “First Dollar in the Boot” event.

Stop by the locations below to place money in the boot to support MDA's efforts!

TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF FILL THE BOOT EVENTS THIS WEEK:

Portland:

8/12-13, 3-6:30pm

NW 23rd/ Burnside; SE 122nd/ Stark

Hillsboro:

8/12, 3:30-7pm: Hwy 26/ Shute; Baseline/ 10th 8/13, 3:30-7pm: Baseline/ Brookwood

Vancouver:

8/12-13, noon-4pm

Fourth Plain/ Andresen; 162nd Ave/ NE 18th St.

Gresham:

8/13-14, 9am-5pm

Eastman Pkwy/Division

Clackamas:

8/13: SE 82nd/Causey

8/14: Mollala Ave/ Gaffney Ln, Oregon City

Scappoose:

8/14, 10am-4pm

Hwy 30/ NW Havlik

Tualatin Valley:

Multiple times/ locations

  Portland Fire & Rescue We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

  August 12, 2010