Lynn firefighters pass boot for muscular dystrophy

LYNN-Sixty-four Lynn firefighters will be passing the boot today and Wednesday at various locations in the city in a fund-raising effort to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).The outreach marks the 22nd year that local firefighters have rallied behind the cause, according to Lynn Fire Lt. Paul Whitten, the event coordinator.”This is our annual fill-the-boot drive for Jerry’s Kids,” he said. “We’ve been doing this for 22 years and every penny goes to the MDA.”Last year, the Lynn firefighters raised $12,000. “That was a little high, but we hope to do it again this year,” Whitten said. “We have 64 guys on the department who will work three-hour shifts on their own time over the two days.”The firefighters will be filling the boot at the Stop & Shop supermarket and Johnny’s Foodmaster supermarket, both on Boston Street, and at the Wal-Mart department store on the Lynnway, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They will also be canning in Wyoma Square from 1-4 p.m. on both days.Founded in 1950, the MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscular dystrophy and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. It is the largest non-governmental sponsor of neuromuscular disease research.According to the MDA, more than one million Americans are affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases. About 250,000 have some form of muscular dystrophy. Included in the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA are nine forms of muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and others.The MDA seeks no fees from those it serves and dedicates 78.4 cents of every dollar it spends directly to program services. Each year, the organization sends nearly 4,000 children with muscular dystrophy and related diseases to summer camps, at a cost of $800 per camper. There’s no charge to families.The MDA annually awards research grants to about 400 teams of scientists and physicians worldwide, helps buy and repair wheelchairs, leg braces and augmentative communication devices; provides thousands of free flu vaccines to those affected by neuromuscular diseases; and conducts ongoing public education programs through its Web sites, publications, videos, seminars and media outlets.Entertainer Jerry Lewis serves as MDA National Chairman and star of the MDA Labor Day Telethon, the first of which was held in 1955.