Community Corner

Pasco County Firefighters Pull Out The Stops For MDA

The annual fundraising drive netted more than $18,000 in street corner donations alone.

While most people “pull up their bootstraps” to get to work, Pasco County firefighters recently took theirs off to do so for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Members of Pasco County Fire Rescue held their annual Boot Drive to raise money for MDA. During the three-Friday event, they stood on different street corners with their boots in hand, trying to get donations from passersby.

While an official count wasn’t available, Jennifer Bell, director of business management for MDA St. Petersburg, said Pasco was on track to raise more than $18,000 during its drive. It was also anticipated that other monies donated would bring the local firefighters’ contribution for 2011 to be on target with last year’s $35,000 amount.

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Muscular dystrophy is an umbrella term for a group of neuromuscular diseases that impair mobility and may cause other complications. Some forms of MD are considered potentially fatal.

According to Capt. Dan McCaffrey, the drive is a tradition that is near and dear to firefighters’ hearts. Pasco firefighters are so passionate about helping MDA, he said, they volunteer to come out on their off hours to raise money by hosting boot drives on the corner of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, Little Road and State Road 54, and State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

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Firefighters like the mission of MDA and want to help others, McCaffrey said. They especially like how the money is spent.

“If you raise the money in Pasco, it stays in Pasco for families that need it,” he said.

Firefighters lending a hand to MDA is a tradition that dates back nearly 60 years, Bell said. The International Association of Firefighters collected an estimated $26 million last year alone.

“(We do it) to raise money for the less fortunate that can’t stand out there,” explained Pasco firefighter Tim Zukosky.

“I feel good doing it,” agreed Tom Carpinone.

Penny McCaffrey, Dan’s wife, helps out with the drive and post-drive parties each year. She said it’s become a tradition for her family to assist.

Dan McCaffrey said they couldn’t do it without Penny’s help.

“I’m lucky to have a wife who puts in as much (work) as I do,” he said.

Pasco County firefighters are expected to cook and serve lunch for MDA summer campers later this month.

For more information about MDA, visit mdausa.org online.


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