Firefighters from Snohomish County Fire District 1 will be collecting donations through the end of August for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in a fund-raiser sponsored by Local 1997 of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

Firefighters across the country participate in the Fill the Boot drive --- using firefighting boots to hold the donations they collect for MDA.

Members of IAFF Local 1997 plan to be collecting donations every Friday and Saturday through the end of August outside grocery stores in the Fire District 1 service area and at the intersection of 128th St. SW and Fourth Ave. W., south of Everett near Mariner High School.

Last year, Fire District 1 crews were among the top three fundraisers in the statewide Fill the Boot drive, collecting $34,000 for MDA.

This year, they hope to raise $50,000.

Nationally, firefighters have been collecting donations for MDA since 1954 and have raised millions of dollars since the drive began.

MDA helps children and adults who are affected by any of 40 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA’s comprehensive medical services and research programs.