January 8, 2004

ON FIRE FIGHTERS AND MDA:
50 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP

What’s so important about 1954?

In that year, the first atomic-powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus, was launched at Groton, Conn.; segregation in the U.S. school system was declared unconstitutional; Fellini’s “La Strada” and Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” were landmarks in international cinema; and a team from Harvard Medical School performed the first successful kidney transplant operation.

For MDA, one of the most important events of 1954 — and one that’s had significant long-term consequences for the well-being of the Association — was the inauguration of our partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters.

At its 22nd convention in Miami in August 1954, the IAFF adopted a proclamation to throw its support behind MDA until the eventual defeat of neuromuscular diseases.

Since that time, fire fighters have cemented their position as champions of “Jerry’s kids,” and have been hailed by MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis as “personal heroes of mine, and heroes to all the families and medical professionals who long to see muscular dystrophy defeated.”

The IAFF, formed in 1918, is an AFL-CIO-affiliated labor union representing 260,000 professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel in the United States and Canada. Its members protect the lives and property of 80 percent of the nation’s population.

Over the years, IAFF members have raised funds for MDA through Fill-the-Boot campaigns, softball tournaments, bowl-a-thons and other special events. Fill-the-Boot, the IAFF's primary fund-raiser for MDA, is a roadside campaign in which fire fighters greet motorists from street corners and ask them to drop donations into fire fighter boots.

In 2003, IAFF General President and MDA National Vice President Harold Schaitberger was honored for his contributions and efforts in the fight against neuromuscular diseases with the 2003 Heartsongs Award at the Heartsongs Gala to benefit MDA. The event was held in Washington and attended by Schaitberger’s close friend, MDA National Goodwill Ambassador Mattie Stepanek.

Later that year, on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon, Schaitberger appeared seven times, along with representatives from the 16 IAFF districts, to present checks representing the IAFF’s 2003 efforts in behalf of MDA. The total contribution amounted to a staggering $18.3 million, which was gratefully accepted by an overwhelmed Jerry Lewis.

I want to reproduce some letters that appeared on the IAFF Web site which bear testimony to the moving relationship between fire fighters and the children and adults MDA serves. The following are from two fire fighters who wish to express their gratitude for being given the opportunity to help out at MDA summer camp:

Houston fire fighters spend time with “Jerry’s kids” at MDA summer camp

I just wanted to say thank you to MDA for giving these kids a great camp to go to. The MDA staff was super and cared so much for these kids. I have never been so touched by anything like this before and I have to say it was the best week of my life. I am going to make a lifetime commitment to MDA and these kids, and will be out on the streets spreading the word of the great job that MDA does and how special these kids are. Thanks again for all you do.
Jeff Smith
Palm Beach County, Fla.
Local 2928 member

Dear Fire Fighters and MDA,
I have attended your last three summer camps and it has had an incredible impact on me. I have witnessed these kids enjoy and do things that they probably do not accomplish during their normal day-to-day activities. It gives an unforgettable feeling to see fire fighters work with MDA kids. In my opinion, summer camp is one of the most important services your organization provides for these kids and their families.
Lt. Mark V. Wiggins
Albuquerque, N.M., Fire Department

For another perspective on the IAFF-MDA relationship, here’s a letter from an MDA family member expressing thanks to General President Schaitberger:

Dear President Schaitberger:
As the mother and grandmother of two clients of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, I want you to know how very much it means to all of us out here that your union continues to be so seriously involved in the efforts for MDA. For me personally, it's just such a deep comfort to see your gentle face every year during the Telethon.

My granddaughter served a total of four years as a Junior Goodwill Ambassador, and my daughter became a helper for MDA at the age of 13 -- long before we even knew that she had Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and would also give birth to a child with the same genetic disorder. Bethany, my granddaughter, has a special place in her heart for fire fighters -- she's had a great deal of interaction with them in Reno and Sparks, Nev., for the past several years, and people like Curtis Date are almost like family to us.

God bless and keep you and all the men and women in your organization who work so hard to make such wonderful things happen for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. You may not get many personal messages like this, but I believe it's important to let others know what they mean to you -- that it MATTERS to you -- whether you know them or not.
Sharon Kaufman
Portola, Calif.

Fill-the-Boot activities in Columbia, S.C., contributed to the IAFF’s record total of $18.3 million for MDA in 2003.

In 2004, MDA is happy to celebrate its 50-year association with the courageous men and women of the IAFF. Both the IAFF’s biennial conference in August and our 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon will provide sterling opportunities to express our overwhelming gratitude for the long-standing support of fire fighters, and MDA will endeavor to throw the public spotlight on the IAFF’s fund-raising efforts all year.

Dropping a donation in a fire fighter’s boot to help MDA may seem like a simple act, but when you do so — and I urge you to do so at every opportunity in the months ahead — you’re taking part in a magnificent tradition. Here’s to that tradition and 50 years of compassionate support from MDA’s marvelous heroes, the fire fighters.

With every best wish...

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