Columbia Fire Department and Muscular Dystrophy Association Fill The Boot-60 Years Strong
March 18, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins and Executive Director of the Midlands Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Tara Heil announced today the locations for the 2015 MDA Boot Drive on Wednesday, March 25th – Friday, March 27th.
The Boot Drive will be held at the following intersections from approximately 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.:
- Assembly & Gervais
- Huger & Blossom
- Devine & Harden
- Bull & Elmwood
- Main & Sunset
- Bush River & Broad River
- South Beltline & Rosewood
- Forest Drive & Beltline
- Leesburg & Garners Ferry
- Two Notch & Decker
- Sparkleberry & Two Notch
- Hwy 21 & Blythewood
- Pineview & Garners Ferry
- Kennerly & Broad River
- Trenholm & Forest Drive
- Rabon Rd & Farrow Rd
- Rhame Rd & Clemson Rd
Photo: CFD 2014 Check Presentation to MDA (L-R) Battalion Chief J. Strohecker, Division Chief Mike Cothran, Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, Logan Moore Local Goodwill Ambassador, Tara Heil, Assistant Chief Jamie Helms & Captain Kevin King
Chief Jenkins and Trent Tomco, SC MDA Ambassador kicked off this year’s campaign by passing around the boot to City Council, City Staff and citizens during Tuesday night’s Council meeting. Chief Jenkins said, “This partnership has collected over $2.5 million in the past 15 years and we could not have accomplished that without the citizens of the City of Columbia and Richland County.” Chief Jenkins continued to state “We hope to surpass last year’s donations of $143,214 and we will with everyone’s help, so when you see a Firefighter please make a donation.”
Tara Heil stated, “MDA is proud to partner again with these brave men and women of the Columbia Fire Department as we work together to impact the lives of the families living with neuromuscular disease in the Midlands.”
MDA’s relationship with the Columbia Fire Department goes back more than 50 years. The drive grew in the late 1990’s when they were allowed to collect in the intersections and on duty. At that time, the department was inspired by the grandson of Retired Battalion Chief Taylor McEntire who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Taylor’s spirit continues to be a driving force behind the drive that has helped families throughout the Midlands.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA is funded almost entirely by individual private contributions and cooperating organizations. Only nine percent of every dollar collected is spent on administrative costs.
For more information about the MDA go to: www.mda.org. Follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/MDAColumbiaSC or Facebook:www.facebook.com/mdacolumbia.
