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Heights firefighters raise funds for MDA

More than $30,000 has been raised in the past four years.

In just the past four years years, the Huber Heights Firefighters Local 2926 have accumulated $33,832 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Contributed photo In just the past four years years, the Huber Heights Firefighters Local 2926 have accumulated $33,832 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

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By Mickey Zezzo, Contributing Writer 10:12 PM Tuesday, November 1, 2011

HUBER HEIGHTS — Fighting fires may be their demanding day-by-day duty, but when it comes to muscular dystrophy, these respected firefighters go beyond the call of duty.

Another MDA Fill-The-Boot campaign was completed in recent weeks in the Heights and you can chalk up another chapter to the continued success in the fundraiser.

In just the past four years, the Huber Heights Firefighters Local 2926 have accumulated $33,832 for the MDA and although this year’s tally of $5,300 fell short of last year’s biggest-ever tally of $16,666 there was no loss of spirit.

“I think in view of hard times that wasn’t a bad total,” said John Russell, president of the HH Firefighters Union. “We got excellent cooperation from Kroger and from citizens who chipped in whatever they could afford, so we were grateful.”

Fund organizer John Hildebrand, a firefighter/paramedic, paid special tribute to the Fire Department’s members volunteering their time, saying “they worked on off-duty time and contributed an awful lot.”

“We know we have made a difference in so many lives and couldn’t have done so without the community’s continued support,” said Russell, in his 11th year as a HH firefighter.

Janet Schoenig, the Fire Department’s administrative secretary, served as coordinator for the MDA affair. Hildebrand was an organizer with firefighter-paramedic Jimmy Fiorita as his assistant and Tina Fiorita, also a firefighter paramedic, also assisted.

As in past years, the firefighters got the MDA event off to a colorful and well-received two-day kickoff occasion at the Kroger parking lot on Troy Pike, with free food provided by Kroger.

“We had most of the fire engines and other equipment out there and that was educational and big treat for the kids,” said Russell. “We owe a very special thanks to Kroger manager Mr. (James) Hancock for his and the store’s cooperation.”

Another favorite fundraiser staged by the firefighters is the Special Wish Foundation. “We selected two children last year to send to Disney World in Orlando,” said Russell.

According to Russell, funding for Special Wish is provided by a best-ball foursomes golf tournament at Sugar Isle Golf Course in New Carlisle. “We had so many teams we actually had to cut back (on number of teams) this year and we’ve been hampered by the weather, but we’ll get it done,” said Russell.

Contact this writer at (937) 236-6032; mickeyz@zoomtown.com.

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