TULSA, Okla. — For the first time in five years, Tulsa firefighters are back on the streets for their “fill the boot” fundraiser, raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).
Tulsa city councilors modified a panhandling ordinance this year, allowing the firefighters to get back out on the streets for this cause. The few years before this modification proved difficult for their fundraiser.
You can see before the panhandling ordinance Tulsa firefighters brought in around $200,000 in donations for the MDA. In 2018 and 2019 they didn’t collect donations at all. Then in 2020, they modified their fundraiser, setting up in parking lots. In 2021, firefighters gained a little ground setting up in parking lots but also offering an online option. That said, in 2021 they only raised $25,000, still a fraction of what they used to bring in before the ordinance.
| “Fill the boot” Fundraising Year | Amount Raised |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,000 - parking lot and online option |
| 2020 | $8,800 - parking lot |
| 2019 | $0 - not held |
| 2019 | $0 - not held |
| 2017 | $185,000 - firefighters on street corners and medians |
| 2016 | $224,000 - firefighters on street corners and medians |
| 2015 | $223,000 - firefighters on street corners and medians |
Sherri Daley is a Tulsa mother who directly benefits from these donations. Her son Luke is almost 25 years old now but was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was only three years old. It is a genetic disorder where the muscles degenerate because of alerted proteins that are normally used to keep your muscle cells in tact.
“We are so excited to hear that people can get back on the streets, that firefighters can get out and raise money,” she said.
There is no cure for muscular dystrophy and often the disease progresses rapidly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“Three years ago without any notices, he didn’t know that his last meal was a slice of pizza from QuikTrip,” she says talking about her son and the feeding tube he uses on a daily basis. “He went into the hospital and has not eaten since.”
In the past 22 years that her family has faced this disease, she says the MDA has been a huge help coordinating trips and camps, loaning out equipment and helping to cover things that insurance doesn’t.
“It has helped us tremendously. We used to visit these fire stations and he (Luke) was one of the kids climbing all over the firetrucks and as time progressed he quit walking at age eleven and was in a wheelchair full time by about thirteen,” she says looking back.
Luke now also wears a mask full time so that he can breath
“He has to have something to help him breath. He has to have something to help him cough. There are so many things that people don’t realize that people with disability need,” Daley explains.
She wants families to know that if they are just starting their journey with this disease to lean on the MDA and take it one day at a time. As for everyone else, she says roll down your window and give what you can.
“Just people giving a few dollars or their change has impacted us drastically,” she says.
The “fill the boot” campaign runs through Saturday. You can also donate online here.
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