Greenfield Fire Department Needs Help Filling the Boot

The Greenfield Fire Department and Greenfield Local 1963 will be hosting a Fill the Boot for MDA fundraiser Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 14th consecutive year the department has held event.

Firefighters will be on the street corners holding firefighter boots up for monetary donations that go directly to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The fundraising efforts will take place at the corner of South 76th Street and West Layton Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.

"This intersection is used due to the high traffic volume and also central location in the city," firefighter/paramedic Andy Greil said. "This allows firefighters to leave the intersection and respond on emergency calls in a timely matter without delay."

Greil said many off-duty fire department members will be on the street corners as well, and that signs will be posted alerting drivers of the event ahead.

What once was a one-day fundraiser on Labor Day weekend has evolved into a three-day event.

"This allows each shift and each member an opportunity to help Fill the Boot and raise money for Jerry's Kids," said Greil, who is coordinating the event along with .

In the past 13 years, the Greenfield Fire Department and firefighter union has raised more than $148,000. In 2010, the effort was most successful, collecting more than $30,000.

Firefighter unions statewide have raised more than $585,000 over the years in Fill the Boot campaigns, with Greenfield being one of the top contributors, according to Greil.

"The citizens of Greenfield and the surrounding communities were overwhelmingly generous," Greil said. "The money raised affords MDA's clients and families many opportunities that otherwise would not be possible, and we are all so happy to do this for them."

Rain dates for the event are June 20-22.