August 4, 2017 at 4:51 p.m.
Rhinelander Fire Department presents big check to MDA
$14,856 raised through Fill the Boot drive
Rhinelander Fire Department presents big check to MDA
"Rhinelander raises a ton of money every year for MDA and this year they raised $14,856 for the MDA, which is amazing," said MDA fundraising coordinator Murphy Maes. "Over the past few years, they've raised between $14,000-$15,000 and they do a wonderful job."
Maes said it takes about $2,000 to send one child to MDA summer camp and the funds gathered by the Rhinelander firefighters will help a number of children experience summer camp.
"They are sending a handful of kids to summer camp where they will have a week of a lifetime and experience things they might not be able to do on a regular basis," Maes said. "And they appreciate it more than anything."
Maes said the RFD Fill the Boot campaign consistently raises big dollars for MDA.
"Last year they raised $14,000 right on the dot, so this year they're $800 over," she said. "In the state of Wisconsin, they are probably in the top five or six for the whole state. It's amazing for such a small local area to have such a large local amount."
Firefighters do so much for the community that people are inspired to be generous when they seek donations for a worthy cause, she added.
"The MDA has been partnering with the IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) for so many years that it has become a staple event for MDA and the IAFF and they continue to work with us every single year.," she said. "And everyone loves firefighters, so what could go wrong with that?"
"It's our great personality," joked firefighter Nathan Bates, who was the local coordinator for the campaign. "We sit out there and have a good time. We talk to the people and really appreciate everyone here that comes for fest, all the locals who donate their time and we also appreciate the city allowing us to raise this money for a good cause."
Fill The Boot is one of many MDA fundraising events. Others include the annual shamrock program, MDA lockups and various galas held throughout the state.
"We have a bunch of different fundraisers (organized by) our office in Green Bay where we raise about $1.4 million a year," Maes said. "We also have an office in southern Wisconsin that raises about $2 million a year. We are doing a lot every single day to raise money. Harley-Davidson is also a huge sponsor for us and they do amazing things for us, also."
She added that the IAFF has raised over $6.7 million nationwide and has partnered with MDA since 1952.
"We just want to thank the Rhinelander Fire Department for fundraising for us year after year and they've done an amazing job again this year," she added.
"We have a great community and a lot of people who support the fire department," Bates said. "In turn, that allows us to support good causes like MDA. I just want to thank everyone for donating and making us a big success again this year."
Bates said the firefighters always hope to surpass the previous year's total.
"We didn't expect (this much of an increase), but it's nice that we did (collect more donations)," Bates said.
Bates noted that it helps tremendously that the Fill the Boot campaign is held in conjunction with Hodag Country Festival.
"It is probably one of the bigger weeks out of the year and there is a lot of people there, so yes, we do kind of set it up that way," Bates said, adding that there are people who inquire about who the firefighters are collecting money for, even with the large number of signs in all directions leading up to the intersection.
"A lot of people say they look forward to it every year when they are at Hodag and they come in and look forward to seeing us out there and donate money," Bates said.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at
[email protected].
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