I cannot explain why certain people have to live with things that others do not. Muscular dystrophy attacks the old and young alike. Though I do not know where we, as a nation, stand concerning a cure, what I do know is that it takes money for the research to continue. Each year, firefighters from all over the country partner with the Muscular Dystrophy Association through the Fill the Boot campaign. This year’s drive is right around the corner, taking place Wednesday, Sept.1, through Monday, Sept. 6.

Firefighters will be wielding the boots, attempting to fill them with your hard-earned cash. This will be my last Fill the Boot campaign, so I expect that my fervor for this one will be in that spirit. It is going to be a little different this year, since my other experiences were in front of the Wal-Mart and in front of #14. I am led to believe that things are a bit slower in Ettrick, so it sounds to me like we are going to have to work a bit harder. I am not absolutely sure where we will be collecting funds, but if you want to put your money in my boot then come to Ettrick on Sept. 6. However, whether you put your money in my boot or another firefighter’s boot, it is all the same, going to the same place.

I’ve always said I would love to be told that we no longer need to do this, not because I don’t like saying “fill the boot” so many times that my throat is sore at the end of the day, but because a cure has been found and this disease has been eradicated. My journey as a firefighter has introduced me to wonderful people, but there are none more special than our friend, Rebecca. Her smile and her determination inspire each of us to think far beyond ourselves.

My request for each of you that read this article is that you give whatever you can. Don’t look for another door to enter through, but help us to help others. Many people think that this is a fund drive for our department, but not a single penny comes to us. This money is going to those who need it most.