Recently, members of Demopolis Fire and Rescue helped better the lives of local children, and they didn’t even have to enter a burning building to do it.

Demopolis Fire and Rescue participated in a campaign for the families and children served by the Muscular Distrophy Association (MDA), which benefits local families.

You may have seen them at Wal-Mart holding their boots, passing out stickers and giving children a tour of their fire trucks.

Angie Jordin, District director for the MDA in central Alabama, recalled, “I even saw Chief Few help customers to their cars with items. Now that’s community and that’s what the Fill the Boot program is all about.”

Demopolis Fire and Rescue raised more than $1500 over four hours through their efforts and the generosity of Wal-mart customers.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Jordin said. “People want to help others, and when you have a community like Demopolis where everyone knows each other, it’s very special.”

MDA is a not for profit health services agency that provides wheel chair purchase assistance, flu shots, clinic visits, physical therapy, leg braces, genetic counseling, and MDA Summer Camp!

MDA does not receive money from the government or from any other agency and solely depends on the community it serves, raising donations through various fundraising events.

MDA’s annual Fil the Boot campaign involves thousands of firefighters and fire stations nationwide.

It’s one of the organization’s largest fundraisers.