The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Fire Chief Jim Petrie is nearly at a loss for words as another Boot Drive for Muscular Dystrophy record lay in tatters. The fundraiser, held by the Flin Flon Firefighters Association last Friday, Sept. 14, brought $11,000 _ the most in its 17-year history. 'I didn't think we'd ever shatter (the old record), but we did,' said a beaming Petrie. This year's total bests the previous record of $10,606, a mark set last year. The fundraiser ran from 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. at its usual spot, an informal checkstop on Third Ave. near KFC. Of the drivers who passed through, Petrie said 'just about all them' rolled down their windows to drop coins and bills into a boot extended by a firefighter. 'Some of them gave two or three times and it's just beautiful to see,' he said. The final amount collected came in at just under $11,000. ScotiaBank, which counted the cash for the firefighters, added to the tally to make it a nice round number. About 20 firefighters volunteered their time to stand in the middle of the road to offer drivers the chance to donate. Absent this year was the fire department's mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, whom Petrie said already had plans to go golfing that day. All proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which Petrie noted has helped local residents living with the disorder. Firefighters across North America have a long and proud history of raising funds to battle muscular dystrophy, which involves muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue. More than 50,000 Canadians are affected by neuromuscular disorders, according to the online Canada Charity Guide.
