FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Fort Wayne firefighters will no longer be seen “filling the boot” at stoplights.
The annual “Fill the Boot” campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) takes place August 23-25. Each year, firefighters can be seen standing at various intersections throughout the community collecting donations for the organization.
This year, it’ll be a little different. In a post on the Fort Wayne Firefighters Facebook page, the organization states,
“MDA “Fill the Boot” time is here once again. Unfortunately, Fort Wayne Firefighters will no longer be collecting at stoplights as we have in the past. We were informed that this method of collection is no longer acceptable. The Fort Wayne Professional Firefighters would like to thank the citizens of Fort Wayne for their past generosity.”
Standing at stoplights has been deemed unsafe, and the city plans to position firefighters in safer areas, such as shopping center parking lots, according to our partners in news at ABC 21. Firefighters will also be raising funds for MDA through Facebook fundraising.
The Northern Indiana director of MDA believes the city’s decision will negatively impact the funds raised for the organization and families who depend on donations.
The annual “Fill the Boot” campaign will take place on August 23-25, but the organization is accepting donations online now.
