1 week Ago
For the first time this year, the students of McKinley Elementary aided the Muscatine Fire Department in raising money for its Muscular Dystrophy Association Boot Drive. As of Tuesday, they have raised $1,037.25.
As a check for the money was presented to members of the fire department Tuesday during a special assembly, Eddie Colon watched with his son Ryker, a fourth grader at the school. Ryker sat in his wheelchair watching as a giant check was presented. Colon explains that Ryker has a form of Muscular dystrophy so rare that there isn’t a name for it.
Only 23 people in the world have this disease. “Whenever I see organizations or individuals raising money for MDA, it does mean a lot to my family,” he said. “To see all these people get involved and research a disease that he has, although his is very rare, it does mean a lot to our family.
” Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that causes muscular weakening and wasting. It affects about one in 5,000 people worldwide. Colon said his goal is to continue to find a cure or treatment for the disorder.
During a presentation, it was announced that about 20 treatments for Muscular dystrophy had been discovered within the last year. For at least 30 years, the fire department has participated in the nationwide MDA Boot Drive. During the drive, retired firefighters boots are put in businesses as well as firefighters standing at intersections with boots taking donations to benefit MDA.
Firefighter and Paramedic Craig Chelf, the captain for the MDA drive this year, said that not all money has been counted yet, but the department raised about $10,000 for the cause. The intersection boot drive raised about $8,000. “We’ll have a full total in a few weeks as we finish up a few more events,” he said.
“It’s about the same amount as last year. We are getting more participation in it. Fruitland Fire helped us out a bit this year.
Next year we are looking to possibly do countywide fire to get more involvement.” Chelf said the participation of students this year has been important. He said there are a few children in the district who have Muscular dystrophy, so the district wanted to show support by helping to raise money.
Boots were brought to each classroom where the classes each had a penny drive. Due to the success of McKinley, Madison School has decided to try having a penny drive for the collection. It was held on Tuesday.
Chelf said people can still donate to the boot drive at the Muscatine Firefighters local 608 Facebook page or at MDA.org and search for Muscatine. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.
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