The Austin Fire Department's fundraising efforts for the Muscular Dystrophy Association won it top honors from the organization and its Golden Axe award.
The award is given out by the Muscular Dystrophy Association to recognize the fire department that raises the most money for the association. The Austin Fire Department raised close to $14,137 through a "Fill The Boot" campaign. Firefighters went out into the community to ask for monetary donations, gathering about $1,500 for each member of the department, said firefighter Tim Olson.
The MDA started working on fundraising efforts with firefighters more than 50 years ago, said Betsy Palmgren, executive director of the association's St. Paul office. The association started giving the axe out to its top fundraisers about five years ago, Palmgren said.
Palmgren said the Austin department has never won the award before.
The money raised helps fund the association's summer camp, its clinics and support groups and muscular dystrophy research, according to Palmgren.
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The Austin City Council recognized the Fire Department's award at the council's regular meeting Monday night.
