08/12/2020- A summertime staple fundraiser benefiting individuals affected by muscular dystrophy will look a little bit different in 2020. Fire departments across the country, including right here in Marinette, participate in the annual Fill the Boot campaign to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Locally, firefighters would typically be scattered at intersections throughout Marinette’s downtown collecting donations from passing motorists, but Jason Lemire with the Marinette Fire Department says COVID-19 precautions have led them to take a different approach this year, by enlisting the help of community sponsors throughout the month who’ve pledged to donate a portion of their sales to the effort.

The Marinette Fire Department has raised around $20000 for the MDA each year for the past several years. Lemire says that has them regularly ranking among the top five fire departments in the state for total amounts collected.

People can also give to the Fill the Boot campaign by bringing donations to a drop box outside of the Marinette Fire Department or by going online to firefighters.mda.org.