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March 28, 2024

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Firefighters’ boot drive to hit the streets again

Fill-the-Boot

Jackie Valley

A Henderson firefighter shows 13-year-old Ian Preston, left, and 11-year-old Kyle Preston, right, tools the fire crews use while at emergency scenes. The brothers, who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, attended the kickoff Tuesday of the 52nd annual Fill-the-Boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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Henderson firefighters set up an obstacle course for 11-year-old Kyle Preston, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Kyle and his brother, Ian, attended the kickoff of the 52nd annual Fill-the-Boot campaign, which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The goodwill boot is back.

Henderson officials announced Tuesday the kickoff of the annual firefighter-led Fill-the-Boot donation drive benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The fundraiser spread internationally after getting its start in Southern Nevada.

Firefighters will be toting their boots to multiple locations beginning Friday for the campaign, hoping to top last year’s collection of $160,000.

Other dates include April 22, 23 and 30 at locations across the Las Vegas Valley, such as Smith’s, Albertsons, Fremont Street, Weingarten Properties, Galleria at Sunset mall, Las Vegas Premium Outlets, Las Vegas Outlet Center and Town Square, officials said.

The Fill-the-Boot campaign was born in 1954 when two Southern Nevada firefighters, Butch Snider and Jim Grigsby, wanted do something to help children with neuromuscular diseases, Henderson Fire Chief Doug Stevens said.

Years later, in what officials describe as an ironic twist of fate, Snider and Grigsby both died from neuromuscular diseases.

Since 1954, firefighters across the country have collected more than $300 million in their boots for the MDA, officials said. The money goes toward funding research, local client needs and a summer camp at Lake Tahoe for children with one of the 43 neuromuscular diseases.

Henderson Councilwoman Gerri Schroder issued a proclamation from the city, urging residents to donate generously to MDA, which serves more than 450 local families.

“This is something everyone looks forward to and expects,” she said.

Likewise, brothers Kyle, 11 and Ian Preston, 13, who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, look forward to attending the summer camp each year.

Kyle Preston said an annual water gun fight is a highlight at the camp.

“It just gives them an opportunity — and maybe the only opportunity of the year — to be with kids like them,” division chief Tom Veit said of the camp, where he has volunteered as a counselor for many years.

As MDA ambassadors, the brothers attended the kickoff with their mother, Penny Preston, to show their support for Fill-the-Boot. Afterward came the more exciting part for them: A personal tour of fire trucks at the Henderson Fire Training Center.

Katie Bencze, executive director for Southern Nevada MDA, said researchers are closer to finding cures for the neuromuscular diseases. In fact, a treatment to stop Pompe disease already is in the production stage, she added.

“Until we find that cure, it’s all about quality of life,” Bencze said.

Dan Pentkowski, president of Henderson Professional Firefighters, called the Fill-the-Boot drive the flagship of what the department does for MDA. Firefighters also help at the summer camp, a telethon and making homes accessible for people living with neuromuscular diseases, he said.

“What’s been interesting is through this recession, we thought we’d see a decrease in donations,” Pentkowski said. “We actually outdid the previous years.”

He said that speaks volumes about the nature of the Las Vegas Valley community.

“Even at the heart of the recession, the community comes together for a good cause,” he said.

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