Firefighters Approach MDA Fundraising With Spirit

Pennsylvania - Raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Labor Day weekend telethon is a summer-long crusade for Swissvale firefighters. Now it's a competition, too. Swissvale Firefighters Local 1680 ranked ninth per-capita in the nation in the MDA's annual Fill-The-Boot fundraiser last year, the first time the organization kept per-capita statistics. "They go out all summer long -- that's why they're so successful. They really put their hearts and souls into it," said MDA spokeswoman Annie Schultheis. "They've really made a commitment to the kids." The then-12 members of Local 1680 raised $20,125, or $1,677 per firefighter, according to the MDA. This year, the 11 firefighters hope to raise $23,000, said union President Keith Runt, Swissvale's deputy chief. The firefighters usually collect on Braddock Avenue at... [read full story]