What started off as one firefighter helping a friend has grown into a national cause.

Jessica Forres met up with local firefighters who are helping to raise money for muscular dystrophy.

LISTEN TO STORY 1 THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

[NAT: AFTER THIS WE ARE GOING TO JUMP OVER ON THE CURB. FOOTSTEPS. WE ARE ALL GOING TO TAKE A LANE AND UH FILL THE BOOT.]

A driver...stopped at a red light on Wisconsin Avenue...drops a bill into the rubber boot Bethesda Firefighter Ty Dement is carrying.

[NAT: THANK YOU
YOU'RE WELCOME]

Jaime Lareau is with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She says firefighters across the U.S. have been collecting money for MDA since 1954...when a firefighter in Boston wanted to help his friend’s two crippled sons.

THAT FIREFIGHTER WHOSE NAME WAS GEORGE CRANEY ACTUALLY TOOK UP A CANISTER COLLECTION AND THEY WENT DOOR TO DOOR AND JUST COLLECTED THAT WAY AND MADE 5,000 DOLLARS. AND THEY REALIZED WHAT A HUGE IMPACT THEY COULD HAVE.

Last year, Fairfax County raised the most money nationwide, which is why Montgomery County is out in full force. Chevy Chase Firefighter Tony Bencosmy.

WE ALWAYS TRY TO COLLECT MORE MONEY THAN FAIRFAX. MAYBE IT’S A LITTLE BIT COMPETITIVE BUT IT’S FOR THE KIDS BUT WE ARE MOTIVATED BY THAT.

MDA’s Lareau says the campaign brings in about 35 million a year.

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Local firefighters are hitting the streets to raise money for muscular dystrophy.

Jessica Forres reports…

LISTEN TO STORY 2 THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

MY MUSCLES ARE A LITTLE BIT WEAKER THAN THE KIDS MY AGE LIKE WHEN KIDS MY AGE WERE ALREADY WALKING, I WAS STILL CRAWLING.

This week, firefighters will be at intersections throughout the area collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

I HAVE OTHER FRIENDS THAT ARE ALREADY IN WHEEL CHAIRS AND WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT THEY WOULDN’T HAVE THE WHEEL CHAIRS BECAUSE THE WHEEL CHAIRS FOR THEM ARE 16,000 FOR ONE AND THEY NEED TWO.

Ron Mastin is Fairfax County’s Fire Chief.

WE COLLECTED MORE THAN ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT IN THE NATION SO OBVIOUSLY WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT. OF COURSE THAT SETS THE GOAL, THE TARGET FOR US AGAIN THIS YEAR

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News