12-09-15 Chattanooga Fire Department 1st in State for MDA

With generous help from the public, the Chattanooga Fire Department raised more money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) than any other fire department in the state this year. This morning at the fire administration building on Wisdom Street, Jack Thompson, president of the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association, Local 820 presented a check for $84,063 to Holly Carroll, MDA National Director. The money was raised from an annual Muscle Team Gala event, a chili cook-off, and two Fill the Boot campaigns conducted by firefighters throughout the Chattanooga area. Firefighters with Station 19 in Hixson were also recognized for raising the most money of all 19 stations within the department.

The money raised locally will help MDA provide support for patients and their families with world-class health care at MDA clinics, access to MDA Summer Camp and support groups, and assistance with medical equipment. Perhaps most importantly, the money helps fund research to find treatments and hopefully cures for dozens of life-threatening muscle diseases.

The Chattanooga Fire Department beat out the much larger Memphis Fire Department for top honors with MDA. "We're proud that we finished first in the state this year," said Fire Chief Chris Adams, "but this is a cause near and dear to us, so if another department raises more money and beats us next year, we're fine with that. Our main goal is to support MDA and do what we can to fight these terrible muscle diseases."

For more information on MDA, visit the website at www. http://mda.org/.

In the photo: Brenden, MDA Goodwill Ambassador, holds the check as Chattanooga firefighters and MDA officials pose for a group photo.