Jill Schramm/MDN A firefighter carrying a boot approaches a vehicle at the intersection of 16th Avenue and Sixth Street Southwest to accept a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association Monday, the first day of the Minot Fire Department’s three-day Fill the Boot campaign.

The Minot Fire Department is showing its continued support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as its members kicked off the annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign Monday.

Continuing a 65-year tradition, more than 40 firefighters have hit the streets with boots in hand, asking pedestrians, motorists, customers and other passers-by to make a donation to MDA. The campaign continues today and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Locations are at the intersections of Sixth Street and 16th Avenue Southwest, Third Street and 11th Avenue Southeast and Eighth Street and 21st Avenue Northwest.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Minot Fire Department L1157 for another year of Fill the Boot to help provide the funds needed to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility,” said MDA Development Director Julie Slotten. “The dedication of these fire fighters to MDA’s mission is unwavering, spending countless hours both with Fill the Boot and MDA Summer Camp to care for the kids and adults in Minot. We know that their devotion to our families will make this year’s drive a success.”

Past contributions have helped fund research and life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and care centers, including the MDA Care Center at Sanford in Fargo. They also help send more than 160 local kids to the MDA summer camp in Maple Lake, Minnesota.