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Local 2297, including firefighters from both North Collier Fire and Immokalee Fire, gave muscular dystrophy (MDA) the boot in 2019!
The 2019 fundraising drive collected more than $45K for MDA.

“There is a 65-year tradition of fire fighters supporting the MDA effort to find research breakthroughs for these muscle-debilitating diseases,” notes Southwest Florida MDA Executive Director Cindy Nichols. “We are proud to have the IAFF as our #1 national and local sponsor of MDA. Their support in this community alone allows for the provision of direct services and support to 600+ local families,” added Nichols. North Collier Fire Local 2297 raised a record-breaking $24,685 for the Southwest Florida MDA annual fundraising drive in 2018. They hope to surpass that amount for 2019.

The monies raised by Local 2297 in 2018 were utilized to send 15 local children suffering from muscular dystrophy to MDA Summer Camp in Umatilla, Florida, at no cost to their families. MDA Summer Camps are designed to balance the fun and joy of camp with special
programming that increases self-esteem, teaches skills needed for independent living, and helps youth build friendships and connections with others who have similar experiences and disabilities.

Three Local 2297 fire fighters attended the camp as well, and had the opportunity to interact with the kids and watch them enjoy the “best week of the year” as described by the kids to the fire fighters.

“Local 2297 is honored to support the annual MDA fundraising drive, and is thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families in our community living with muscular dystrophy, said North Collier Fire EMS Training Lieutenant Bryan Lopez and coordinator for the Local’s fundraising efforts for MDA.