Laughlin, Del Rio firefighters “Fill the Boot” for MDA

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nathan Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Laughlin firefighters and Del Rio Fire and Rescue personnel teamed up Aug. 17 at the intersection of Veterans Blvd. and 10th Street in Del Rio to support the International Association of Firefighters' "Fill the Boot" campaign.

Through the campaign, firefighters in cities across the country have helped raise funds to provide medical treatment and support for those living with neuromuscular diseases by greeting motorists on city streets and asking drivers to donate their spare change into an offering boot.

"The program began in the early 50's when a firefighter's son was diagnosed with a muscular disease," said Lawrence Ervin, Del Rio Fire and Rescue firefighter/paramedic and the department's "Fill the Boot" coordinator. "The firefighter asked his partners to help him raise money for his son's treatment by going door-to-door asking for money and using their work boots to hold the donations."

Since then, the campaign has grown into a yearly tradition among firefighters, and this year is Laughlin's second time participating with their Del Rio counterparts to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"I wanted to help out with a good cause," said Airman 1st Class Andrew Whalen, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter. "Being a firefighter means being in a nationwide family and it's great helping that family out. This will definitely be a tradition for me."

Airman 1st Class Joe Arreola, a fellow Laughlin firefighter, agrees with Whalen's sentiments.

"As a Del Rio native and a firefighter, helping out here means a lot to me," said Arreola. "I want to help this campaign and I want to make it bigger and better each year."

This year's "Fill the Boot" campaign raised approximately $4,000 from the change of Del Rio drivers, and for one local family, the campaign's success shows how much Del Rio and the firefighters that made it all possible care.

"Del Rio has always come to bat for us," said Oscar San Miguel whose son Cisco has muscular dystrophy. "Each year gets bigger and bigger and you really get to see the community's support. When I see a driver place a donation in a boot I always wonder if that is the penny that finds the cure."