Firefighters raise $20K

When Coeur d'Alene firefighters said they would fill the boot last weekend, they meant it.

They positioned themselves at two busy city intersections, held out boots to passing motorists and collected $20,401 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"The Coeur d'Alene Firefighters IAFF Local 710 wants to say thank you to all the residents and valued guests that donated to MDA by Filling the Boot," said firefighter Joshua Hoston, in a message to The Press.

Nationwide, the International Association of Firefighters raises millions of dollars each year through the Fill the Boot campaign.

The Fill the Boot concept was inspired by a door-to-door campaign IAFF held for MDA support in 1953.

Last year, more than 100,000 firefighters participated in Fill the Boot events around the country.

In its first year, Fill the Boot garnered $5,000 in donations. In 2013 the campaign brought in $26.2 million.