KANNAPOLIS ó The Kannapolis Fire Department raised $23,586.74 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association over the last three weeks, a city press release said.
The Fire Department held its annual “Fill the Boot” drive at two locations ó near Wal-Mart and Super Target ó in Kannapolis on July 26, August 1-2 and Aug. 9. The fundraising effort eclipsed last year’s total of $15,419.64.
“I would like to thank all the citizens of Kannapolis and Cabarrus County ó as well as visitors ó who contributed to the Fill the Boot campaign,” Kannapolis Fire Chief Ernie Hiers said. “I’m proud to serve such a vibrant and caring community and help raise funds for such an important cause.”
Assistant City Manager Eddie Smith called the community’s outpouring of support “generous and exciting.
“I am glad that a city department is able to continuously partner with such a worthwhile cause and give back locally,” Smith said.
Funds raised by the firefighters enable the Muscular Dystrophy Association to continue providing direct services to local children and adults with neuromuscular diseases. In addition to a worldwide research program, MDA provides assistance with the purchase of wheelchairs and leg braces, and offers a summer camp program for children ages 6 to 21 with muscular dystrophy.
Free medical services are also available at the MDA ALS/Neuromuscular Clinic located at Carolinas Medical Center for individuals diagnosed with any of the 43 diseases covered by MDA.
“The support of the Kannapolis community for the MDA is incredible,” said Amy Nicotera, program director for the MDA-Charlotte North office. “We named them our fire department of the year for the Southern Piedmont last year for their excellent work in fundraising, and this year they easily surpassed the already high mark set in 2007.”
For more information on the Muscular Dystrophy Association, log on to www.mda.org.