It’s practically a charity fundraiser dream: checking the boot just days before the event really gets underway and finding that it’s already practically full.
The local team of firefighters participating in the second annual Muscular Dystrophy (MD) Rooftop Campout were pleased to report that they had already brought in more than $13,000 out of a total campaign goal of $15,000. This was thanks to a boot drive at the Inglewood Safeway and a special dinner service at East Side Mario’s with firefighters serving as waiters.
Just like it sounds from the name, the event features a three-day campout on the roof of Fire Station No. 2, that began Tuesday. Last year, seven men suited up and braved the mid-week bitter cold snap with the help of some industrial heaters. Things are just a little different this time around, what with the above average temperatures this February.
“We prefer the cold weather, to be honest,” explained Greg Harvey, one of the participants who was on the roof last year and is there this time, too. “It gives us a little bit more of a challenge and the public has a little bit more sympathy when we’re up there.”
“This year we were joking that last year, the huge thing was to trying to track down some good heaters for inside the tent. This year, we might need to be tracking down some good air conditioning units,” laughed Harvey’s colleague, Adam Colameco.
MD can affect a person’s ability to walk, speak, and breathe. It’s an incurable group of neuromuscular disorders that can be life threatening. Since the 1950s, firefighters across North America have been actively involved in fundraising and promotions to bring attention to the problem and help to find a cure.
Several years ago, Edmonton firefighters decided to take their efforts to the rooftops to further raise awareness. Since then, it has grown to a larger scale, extending east to Winnipeg and Brandon, Man. This is the second year that it has come to this city after dispatcher Kathi Sheedy met two young boys with MD from the Gatt family of Cardiff.
Colameco and Harvey explained that they are definitely committed to the cause.
“For us, it’s a great way to get our fire department to get involved with muscular dystrophy even more than normal. It builds a lot of pride departmentally,” Colameco explained.
On its website, Muscular Dystrophy Canada states that, throughout its 57-year history, no other group has done more for fundraising than firefighters who last year alone raised approximately $2.5 million. St. Albert Fire Fighters have been actively involved with Muscular Dystrophy Canada since 1971.
Members of the public can follow the firefighters on Twitter at www.twitter.com/saffu2130 or by checking out their website at www.stalbertfirefighters.com.
Donations to the campaign can be made at Fire Station No. 2 at 100 Boudreau Road until tomorrow at noon. Donations there are by cash or cheque. Credit card donations can only be accepted through the website at www.muscle.ca/western-canada and finding Fire Fighter Campout.
There is also a silent auction taking place until Feb. 28. People can check out the items (including work boots, ski passes and jackets, and a barbecue for eight accompanied by actual firefighters) by visiting the campout. The items will be moved to Fire Station No. 3 at 100 Giroux Road after the campout. Bids can be submitted via email to [email protected].
All funds raised will go towards improving the quality of life for people with neuromuscular disorders by purchasing mobility equipment, providing support services and funding research, which will hopefully lead to treatment and a cure some day.
For more information, contact Jo-Ann Burton, the regional manager of Muscular Dystrophy Canada (Prairies and Northwest Territories division) at 780-489-6322 ext 25, or by visiting www.muscle.ca/western-canada.
