Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk and Franklin firefighters battled for four days this past weekend not to quench flames, but to &uot;Fill the Boot&uot; for muscular dystrophy. These firefighters representing Local 2801 of the International Association of Firefighters were at various locations in Suffolk and Franklin filling the boot for &uot;Jerry’s Kids&uot;

According to 2003 Campaign Chairperson Kimberly Marston, this year’s goal was $30,000. By Sunday evening, $35,000 had been raised, exceeding last year’s amount by $8,500.

Suffolk Professional Fire and Rescue President Jack R. Lilienthal said he is proud of all the firefighters.

&uot;Here’s proof of the big hearts of Suffolk and Franklin residents,&uot; said Lilienthal. &uot;Without their support there is no way we could have met our goal.&uot;

Marston reported the highest single day collection was $11,000 on Saturday from the Wal-Mart Store at 6229 College Drive.

A delegation From Local 2801 will formally present the check to MDA Labor Day afternoon during a local cut-away of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon on WAVY TV 10.

During last year’s efforts, Local 2801 held a &uot;Celebrity Waiter&uot; 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, Firefighter Kim Marston is coordinating the event and 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.