September 6, 1995

Firefighters answer MDA's call

       There were more than just firefighters filling firemen’s boots last weekend. Tens of thousands of dollars were stuffed into boots and buckets as county firefighters held their annual collection for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  The firemen are an annual fixture at road intersections; collecting money for the MDA each Labor Day weekend.  “We feel like it is so widespread, we don’t even have to put up banners. People just naturally associate Labor Day with Jerry’s Kids,” said Mike Herron, lieutenant training officer for the Franklin Fire Department.  On Saturday, eight Franklin firefighters collected about $1,000 at the intersection of Jefferson and Main streets in downtown Franklin. Herron said the department has made the annual collections since the famous telethon began.  To encourage donations, Franklin firefighters tried to stir up competition among donors. “A lot of the college girls from different sororities were driving through town, and we’d tell them that so-and-so sorority had given more. Then they tried to top each other,” Herron said with a laugh.  Franklin motorists also were given added incentives for larger donations. “For each $5 donation, we’d blow the air horn; for each $10 donation, we’d blow the air horn and sound the sirens,” Herron said.  Larger donations and less change than usual was collected by the White River Township Fire Department.  “We had a lot of big donations this year — a lot of twenties, a lot of $10 bills,” said department Chief Scott Cassin.  “Usually people just throw in change they have in their ashtray or can pull out of their pockets real quick,” he said.  About 15 White River firefighters worked Saturday through Monday to collect $9,900. As in many fire departments, on-duty firefighters and some volunteer off-duty firefighters stood posted at intersections for donations, while being on call for emergencies.  “I think they had a couple calls (while taking donations), but they just threw their stuff on the truck and went, then set everything back up when they got back (to collection sites),” said Cassin.  Although temperatures were pleasant and rain held off throughout the weekend, most county fire departments reported a drop in collections from last year. In their second year collecting, Bargersville firefighters collected over $4,600, down from last year’s total of $7,000.  Greenwood firefighter Don Fouts said this year his department collected $13,400, down from last year’s whopping total of $22,000.  He said about 30 Greenwood firefighters collected money at three different locations in the city from Saturday through Monday.  Fouts, along with several other firefighters, said most motorists are very receptive to the collection sites, though some “get upset if traffic is held up.”  One day a passer-by asked Fouts if he was afraid of getting hit while standing in the street. “I’m not afraid of getting hit, but I just figure I’m out here giving someone else the chance to walk some day,” said Fouts, who didn’t recall firefighters ever getting hurt while taking donations.  The purpose behind the MDA collections was driven home for Fouts when he visited an MDA camp in August. “It was really neat. The kids are always wanting to do things everybody else does. They swim, sleep in their cabins, do crafts,” he said.  The annual MDA drive has always meant a lot to Herron, whose aunt died of multiple sclerosis. “It’s not the same disease, but it makes me think of what the money’s going toward,” he said.  Herron said he and other firefighters always make sure to thank people for their donations, and often receive thanks in return.  “Sometimes adults will say, ‘No, thank you.’ A lot of times the kids in the car have muscular dystrophy. It makes it worthwhile when you can see (where the money goes) directly,” Herron said.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

 

---