MARYSVILLE Local firefighters will be working the streets Aug. 25 and 26 to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during their Fill the Boot campaign.
Workers from the Marysville Fire District will be on their own time to collect your dime at the intersection of State Avenue and Grove Street, and they are getting pretty good at it. Last year the off-duty paramedics and firefighters raised almost $21,000, or triple the previous years take.
That was a feat, especially considering that the MDA spends more than 90 percent of funds raised in the local area, according to Kate Shepard, who was a newbie last year with the district charged with organizing the event, which is spearheaded by the firefighters union. Money raised will be used for the diagnosis, treatment, care, equipment and other services for MS patients.
It was crazy how much we raised, we tripled it, Shepard said. In Marysville people are so incredibly cool in giving.
The firefighters were a hit with locals, especially when they invaded the lanes to hit up drivers waiting for the light to change. The boots quickly filled up, and Shepard said the hunk factor was no small part of the success. The men in their t-shirts and bunker gear were very popular with locals.
Its hilarious, the young guys, the ones who arent married, they make so much money. I was like Oh my god! she laughed.
Shepard has been a firefighter for three and a half years, and last year was her first with Marysville and once again she will be in charge of the fundraiser.
Im annoying enough to get everybody out there, Shepard laughed.
After stints in the Mount Vernon and Walla Walla areas, Shepard said the locals made the event the success it was.
Locals can help Fill the Boot Aug. 25 and 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the intersection of Grove Street and State Avenue.