Firefighters hit the kitchen to raise funds for muscular dystrophy

Kickoff event for this year’s rooftop campout

By

February 2, 2012

City firefighters will be swapping their ladders and hoses for aprons and serving trays at the kickoff event for this year’s rooftop campout in support of muscular dystrophy.

The firefighters will be serving at East Side Mario’s in Spruce Grove on Feb. 10 and 11 from 5 to 10 p.m. Staff will be donating half their tips from the evening and donations will also be accepted to help the firefighters meet their goal of raising $15,000 for muscular dystrophy.

“We thought this would be a fun way to start our fundraising efforts,” says Lieutenant Alan Hofsink, Spruce Grove Fire Services. “We’d like to thank East Side Mario’s for their generosity in hosting this event and would like to invite everyone to come down for a tasty meal and to support a great cause.”

For a $10 donation, residents will also have their names entered to win a new 42-inch LCD LG flat-screen television. Donations for a chance to win the television will be accepted at East Side Mario’s until Feb. 24.

Firefighters will then campout on the fire station roof from Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. to Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. to continue to raise funds for muscular dystrophy. The campout will be on the west side of the building and residents are invited to stop by to help “fill the boot”.

The campout is part of a larger campaign that was started by Edmonton Fire and Rescue approximately eight years ago. This is the second year Spruce Grove Fire Services has been involved in the rooftop campout challenge. Last year, the firefighters exceeded their goal of raising $10,000.

“Participating in this challenge is a great way to help raise both awareness and funds for this worthy cause,” says Lieutenant Hofsink. “We were thrilled by the amount of community support we received last year and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone come out again this year.”

Donations can be made at the fire station and can also be made online External

Muscular dystrophy is the name for a group of neuromuscular disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles that control body movement. As muscle tissue weakens and wastes away, it is replaced by fatty and connective tissue. Over time, persons with neuromuscular disorders may lose the ability to walk, speak, and ultimately breathe. For some individuals, the disorder is fatal. There is currently no cure.