EDITOR's NOTE: Nationwide, fire fighters surpassed all set goals in the 50th Anniversary year of the IAFF-MDA partnership to raise a whopping $20.3 million for the 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. The IAFF is the biggest sponsor of MDA and has raised more than $240 million for Jerry's Kids in past 50 years.
DAVENPORT, IOWA - Every Labor Day, Davenport firefighters go out in the community asking you to 'Fill the Boot' and beat Muscular Dystrophy. But this year, a change in law forced the firefighters off the streets and into area parking lots.
You might have seen them waiting outside Davenport Hy-Vee stores or the parking lot of the Walmart store on Elmore Avenue.
"The community's used to seeing us in the streets - a lot of people that have come by today were surprised we're here," said Davenport firefighter Jason Roth.
But he said it didn't stop the cash from coming in.
"They understand what we're doing here for MD and they're contributing like they have in the past," Roth said.
A city ordinance now prohibits the department from collecting donations on the streets. But the department was still able to present a check for than $17,000 to the cause, down from last year's $33,000, but still far more than MDA District Director Doug Bickford had predicted.
"We figured maybe they'd raise about $10,000 with all the obstacles but for them raising double... it was just a great thing for them," Bickford said.
Davenport firefighter Ron Burchette said changing venues did have its perks. "We were more rushed when we were out on the streets, had to be more aware of our surroundings," he said. But in the parking lots he said it was different. "We were able to talk more with the citizens of Davenport on a one-on-one basis and get their feelings, so it was more of a satisfaction for us to talk to the community and citizens."
Burchette said he's confident no matter where they are, the public will continue to support MDA.
"The citizens of the Quad Cities came through, what more could you ask," he said with a smile.
This year the Quad Cities pledged more than $238,000 for the cause. Across the nation, the telethon collected more than $59 million in pledges.
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