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Dedicated Souls
The District 4 IAFF/MDA Conference to Recognize, Honor and Celebrate Firefighter's Efforts in 2007
April 15, 2008
At the District 4 IAFF/MDA Conference in Ocean City, Maryland on April 15, 2008, four Reading Firefighters heard many success stories from other IAFF Locals whose members are helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association find a cure for the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases. The district has the distinction of having five Locals out of the top ten in the Nation to raise the most in donations to the IAFF's total contribution in 2007 of more than $ 25 million.
Fairfax County Professional Fire, Fighters & Paramedics IAFF Local 2068, collected an amazing $536,026.32 during their four day campaign over the 2007 Labor Day weekend to make them the top donor among all IAFF Locals in the Nation for giving to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the year past. Other Locals in the top five in the district were Philadelphia, PA, Montgomery County, MD, Loudoun in Leesburg, VA and Baltimore County, MD.
Much of the member's participation doesn't end with collecting contributions. Hand on assistance at day camps and participation in the lives of the children and adults afflicted with the disease give the members a better understanding of the needs involved and help to reward their participation with gratification.
Aside from the success stories, many Locals received awards and certificates for their efforts over the past year. We also heard of the gratitude of those who receive help from our contributions. Five year old Pennsylvania Goodwill Ambassador for MDA, Kendle Haught and her mother Kristy, told us about the progress she had made since first learning to operate her power chair at the age of two. Dr. Jeni Stepanek, Mother of past National Ambassador Mattie Stepanek, told of her years dealing with her disease while caring for four of her children who have died from Muscular Dystrophy.
We encouraged each other to keep up the good work and to try and do more. Each Local set their goals for 2008. Reading Firefighters set an ambitious goal for increasing our contributions to prior years totals. For many years, Reading led in per capita for total donations and we are turning to our membership to help us get back on top in the fight for MDA.