Each year, the Suffolk Fire & Rescue Department does its part to help fill the needs of those affected by muscular dystrophy by getting out into the community and asking residents to help them with their local MDA Fill the Boot campaign.

In August, fire and rescue personnel once again took their time to seek donations for MDA. They collected a total of $67,948 and were thanked for their efforts during a presentation at the Dec. 21 Suffolk City Council meeting.

For more than 60 years the International Association of Fire Fighters has stood on the front lines for MDA, working together to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life.

As MDA’s largest national partner, the IAFF has raised more than $585.5 million to help kids and adults with muscle-debilitating diseases.