MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Fire Department (MJFD) is once again stepping up to support an important cause, and these dedicated first responders are inviting the community to take part in the upcoming “Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy” fundraiser on Saturday, March 15.
The upcoming fundraiser is open to the public and will take place at the Moose Jaw Events Centre in the main concourse before and during the Moose Jaw Warriors hockey game on the same date. The event itself will run from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
“The event is for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, and they are celebrating 70 years of partnership with fire departments,” explained Brock Chelsberg, president of the Moose Jaw Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 553 union.
During the fundraiser, fire crews will be stationed at a table to collect cash donations in a firefighter’s boot — a longstanding symbol of support for this cause and a memorable way to spread awareness of its goals.
If you prefer to donate electronically, payments can also be made by tapping your credit or debit card on location.
To show appreciation for the community’s support, donors will receive stickers and organizers also plan to have pamphlets available to provide more information about muscular dystrophy and the impact their contribution has on the campaign’s recipients.
This initiative, held in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), carries on a 70-year tradition where firefighters across the country help raise funds to support individuals living with neuromuscular disorders. Through an established agreement, half of the proceeds will go toward MDC, while the remaining half will be used to support a local charity in each participating community.
“They (MDC) have been great to deal with, and due to us being a smaller local (fire station), they have agreed to a 50/50 split on the money raised to help our charity as well,” Chelsberg said.
Fifty per cent of the proceeds retained by the MJFD will be used to support the fire department’s ongoing charity fund.
“What our charity fund does is we donate to other local charitable causes throughout our community, and then we also make a fairly generous (annual) donation to , and we work closely with (that organization),” explained Cody Rosnes, chair of the MJFD charity fund in an earlier interview.
To learn more about Muscular Dystrophy Canada and its partnership with firefighters across the country, visit .
The Moose Jaw Events Centre is located at 110 First Avenue Northwest.
