A friendly challenge was set between the Plano Firefighters and the Mayor of Plano, Harry LaRosiliere, which is nothing new to the two in regards to Fill-the-Boot, benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Last year, LaRosiliere challenged the Plano Firefighters to Fill-the-Boot for MDA in the amount of $80,000 and in return would wash a fire truck. Well, they met and even exceeded the amount by $10,000 ending the final amount raised at $90,000. It wasn’t long before the Mayor once again challenged the Plano Firefighters for the 2016 Fill-the-Boot campaign, upping the ante to an amount of $100,000 and washing the truck this time with Plano City Council members.
Starting May 2, the firefighters worked effortlessly for a five-day period hitting the streets with a boot in hopes our community would support the MDA cause, successfully hitting Mayor LaRosiliere’s challenge amount. Along the way, the Plano Fire Department kept the public in-the-know using social media updates on the increasing dollar amount of money given up until the last day of Fill-the-Boot.
How much did the Plano Firefighters make during Fill-the-Boot?
The amount raised not only met last year’s total and this year’s goal, but trumped it! A check was presented to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Plano Fire Rescue’s Fire Station 1 in the amount of $140,000. Way to go, Plano!
Fire Station 1 was the chosen location for the event because the firefighters there brought in more money than any other fire station.
After the check was given to MDA of Dallas’ Jenny Hanie and Caity Bowen, Logan Elder, an 11-year-old boy with Muscular Dystrophy, jokingly handed Mayor LaRosiliere and Plano Fire Chief Sam Greif a toothbrush to get started on cleaning the fire truck.
“The money donated will go toward three local platforms, which includes research, summer camps and clinics,” said Jenny Hanie, executive director for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Dallas. “Plano sent over 50 kids to camp last year, and with the money raised in 2016, could send over 100 kids, including Logan.”
Logan will be joining the MDA summer camp in Meridian, Texas, for his sixth year this summer. “I can’t wait to go,” Logan exclaimed after hosing down the Plano Mayor and City Council members with water—all in good fun, of course.
This challenge is a beautiful reflection of how great Plano community members, the firefighters, Mayor LaRosiliere, Fire Chief and City Council are for giving their time and money. Most importantly, Plano’s raising money and awareness for MDA is wonderful for the families who benefit from the research and support.
Photography by Colbea Smith
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Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA is fighting to free individuals—and the families who love them—from the devastating effects of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases so they can live longer and grow stronger. For more information on MDA, visit the MDA website.
