ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Despite some challenging times for the Anchorage Fire Department, hundreds of firefighters volunteered their own time Friday night to help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.The MDA’s “Fill the Boot” fundraiser came under fire from the city this year because Mayor Dan Sullivan did not want city employees raising funds for a private entity while on the clock.
After the Anchorage Assembly passed an ordinance meant to address the problem -- and then overrode Sullivan’s veto of the ordinance -- the firefighters ultimately volunteered their time Friday as part of a compromise.
No fire trucks were used during this year’s “Fill the Boot” event, since another part of the compromise was that no city equipment valued at more than $500 could be used in charitable events.
Some argued that the trucks’ absence could hurt this year's fundraiser, but contributions from drivers were coming in at a brisk pace Friday evening – possibly brisk enough to break last year’s “Fill the Boot” record of $115,000 donated.
Contact Megan Baldino at mbaldino@ktuu.com
