'Fill the Boot' for Jerry's Kids

Staff

Published Monday, August 25, 2003

Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk Firefighters have taken it to the people all this weekend as they collect funds for "Jerry's Kids" and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

According to Kim Marston, Local 2801 fundraising chairperson, this year's goal is $30,000, and to meet that goal, firefighters will be asking for contributions at Wal-Marts on North Main Street and College Drive, and at Sentry Marts on Pruden Boulevard and Holland Road. They will also be at J&L Market on Whaleyville Road; Racetrac Gas on Portsmouth Boulevard; and Food Lions across the city.

All the funds will be presented to MDA on Labor Day during a local segment of the Jerry Lewis Telethon.

Michael H. Brinkley, secretary-treasurer of Local 2801 International Association of Fire Fighters in Suffolk, said the firemen asking us to Fill the Boot will be easily identified by their bright orange T-shirts bearing the logo for Local 2801. They will also have fire vehicles and bright orange banners to mark locations.

"We're asking people if they would like to help firefighters help Jerry's Kids," said Brinkley. "For the most part, we're getting positive reactions and most people want to give to MDA. With all our equipment at the site, we are easy to recognize as firefighters and we are truly dedicated and working for Jerry's Kids."

Local 2801 President, J.R. Lilienthal, said that since the Suffolk Fire Departments started the Fill the Boot campaign in 1994, they have raised approximately $100,000 for Jerry's Kids.

"We are deeply committed to this community and to the victims of MD and their families," said Brinkley. "It is extremely important that everyone dig as deeply as possible in their pockets and handbags to give to MDA. Funds help victims here in Suffolk, and a portion of the funding is used for research to find a cure for this life threatening disease."

Watch the 38th annual Jerry Lewis Telethon from 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1.

As in the past, starring Jerry Lewis, MDA national chairman, along with hundreds of entertainers and celebrities

During last year's fund raising efforts, Local 2801 held a "Celebrity Waiter" fund raiser at Appleby's on North Main Street. That event brought out former Mayor Curtis R. Milteer, Councilmen Leroy Bennett and Calvin Jones, City Treasurer Ron Williams, Captain Larry Wilson of the Suffolk Police Department, and television personalities from WAVY-TV and WVEC-TV out to help MDA.

This year, Fire Fighter Kim Marston is coordinator of the event and she will announce the date and the names of this year's waiters in the near future. In fact, Marston is responsible for coordinating the entire local MDA fund raisers this year as she has been in the past. It is a labor of love on her part.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency - a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Watch the 38th annual Jerry Lewis Telethon from 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. As in the past, starring Jerry Lewis, MDA national chairman, along with hundreds of entertainers and celebrities

The Telethon will also showcase performers discovered in a nationwide talent search, and feature special segments and concerts from Harley- Davidson 100th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee.

MDA will also present updates on advances made in MDA's worldwide neuromuscular disease research program. It is funding raised by the telethon and campaigns like Suffolk's Fill the Boot and Celebrity Waiter events that help pay for such research.

This year, MDA hopes to exceed the 2002 Telethon total of nearly $58.3 million in pledges and donations to support their programs.

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