For a decade, Warner Robins firefighters have raised more funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association than any other non-union fire department in the nation, but Chief Robert Singletary says he'd be delighted to trade bragging rights.
"We'd love it," Singletary said about another department possibly rising to the top of the fund-raising charts. "That would be just more money for MDA."
Debbie Sutton, district director for the Central Georgia District of the MDA in Macon, said the the Warner Robins Fire Department has raised more money than any other non-union fire department in the country for 10 years straight.
In 1995, the MDA initiated its Gold Ax award for the fire department in Georgia that raised the most funds in the state, and Warner Robins also has earned that distraction each year, she said.
Last year, Warner Robins firefighters raised $130,000 through a host of fund-raisers, from barbecue dinners to golf tournaments. But by far, the most successful fund-raisers are the boot drives.
"That's our biggest money maker," Singletary said. He estimated that 60 percent to 70 percent of total funds raised by Warner Robins firefighters for the MDA are generated through boot drives.
Friday, firefighters were out in force for a boot drive outside of Wal-Mart, Kmart, Kroger, Winn-Dixie and Lowe's. The 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. boot drive ran through Sunday.
Firefighters also will be out Labor Day weekend for one last boot drive before presenting the department's check during the 40th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Sept. 4 and 5.
The local part of the telethon is hosted by the Warner Robins Fire Department in conjunction with WMAZ at the Wellston Center in Warner Robins, Sutton said. A satellite station is set up at the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, she said.
Warner Robins firefighters oversee the entire telethon, Sutton said, from organizing volunteers to staffing phones and providing food.
The funds generated by Warner Robins firefighters remain in the local communities serviced by the district office, Sutton said. The funds are used to fund MDA's medical services and research programs that help those suffering from neuromuscular diseases.
Since 1989, more than $1 million has been raised by Warner Robins firefighters, said Sandra Lunceford, administrative assistant to the fire chief. The first year, the goal was $10, 000 with firefighters raising more than twice the goal - $22,000.
"It just kind of snowballed and escalated," Singletary said.
Under Singletary's direction, Warner Robins firefighters have raised more than $700,000 since 1999, said Hugh Futrell, president of the Georgia Association Fire Chiefs.
"We're just a tool," Singletary said. "It's the citizens who actually put the money in the boot and make the fund-raiser."
For more information about MDA contact the district office or for information about volunteering for the telethon contact the Warner Robins Fire Department.
Distributed by the Associated Press
