Arlington County members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2800 will help “Fill the Boot” to help fight muscular dystrophy Aug. 23 to 31.

The popular Fill the Boot campaign puts firefighters in several different intersections and Metro stops within the county limits asking for donations from people walking and driving past.

Arlington County has a longstanding tradition of its firefighters raising money for MDA through the annual Boot Drive. The county has raised between $20,000 and $30,000 each year for the last 10 years for MDA Greater Washington. The firefighters association has supported MDA by collecting during Fill the Boot campaigns for over 54 years.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and 43 related neuromuscular diseases by funding local health care clinics, support services, advocacy and education for families living with the disorder. MDA Greater Washington serves families in the Washington metro area and 100 percent of the money collected by firefighters here will stay local.

Firefighters will be in uniform and will be collecting at intersections from about 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. later this month. Look for banners and signs to help identify collection sites.

The fire department will not be collecting door-to-door and donations cannot be accepted at fire stations.

To make a secure donation directly to MDA, contact our Reston office at 703-476-5780.

The fire department wants to ensure driver and pedestrian safety. Firefighters will rely on the public to acknowledge a donation and will not approach unsolicited. Please be on the lookout for the firefighters in medians during these dates.  Firefighters are permitted and insured. Please do not attempt a collection of your own without speaking to the MDA office.

For more information, contact Stephanie Hall, MDA Greater Washington fundraising coordinator, at shall@mdausa.org or 375.office@mdausa.org.