Hometown heroes are teaming up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout Alabama.

The Clanton Fire Department will kick off its 2015 Fill the Boot program this weekend.

Members of the department will be at Clanton Walmart, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., with boots in hand on tax-free weekend, collecting for the local chapter of MDA.

“We encourage everyone to give whatever you can for this great cause; even if you are not shopping at Walmart that day, someone can still come by and donate,” Clanton Fire Chief David Driver said. “We would also like to thank Walmart for partnering with us.”

Funds raised through the 2015 Fill the Boot events will help support MDA’s programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services and day-to-day support—which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Camp ASCCA in Jackson’s Gap.

“Firefighters spend countless hours every year participating in Fill the Boot drives and at MDA Summer Camp,” said Katherine Shivers, Fundraising Coordinator for the North Alabama Chapter of The Muscular Dystrophy Association. “We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who have made a profound impact on our families’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.

“We are proud to partner with such an amazing group of individuals in the fight against life-threatening muscle disease”

As one of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s largest national sponsor, firefighters fuel MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases.

Firefighters’ support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization’s unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day.

Raising more than $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, firefighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2013, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $26.2 million.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of anyone with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement.

For more information, visit mda.org and follow MDA at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.