The members of the Guyton Fire Department raised $2,982 during the annual Fill the Boot drive on June 2 to benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout Effingham County.

Guyton Fire Rescue has partnered with MDA for more than 10 years, raising in excess $20,000.

“For six decades, firefighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases, and this year’s Guyton Fill the Boot results are a perfect example of the true dedication Guyton Fire Department has toward supporting the families we serve,” said MDA Executive Director Coleen Harvey. “We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who provide life-saving help that will fund research, advocate for children and adults affected by muscle disease, and rally our community to fight back.”

Funds raised through 2014 Guyton Fill the Boot events will help support MDA’s programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge.

As the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s largest national sponsor, the local fire departments fuel MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases.