Greenwood firefighters are hoping for heavy traffic during the tax-free holiday this weekend will bring in big donations as they raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Fire Chief Marcus Banks said the Greenwood Fire Department is hoping to raise about $4,000 Saturday during a roadblock at the U.S. 82 intersections of Bowie Lane and Strong Avenue.
The firefighters will be collecting between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“We’ve already got the blessing from the City Council,” Banks said. “Now we just hope people are willing to give.”
He said they previously did MDA fundraisers at the Wal-Mart parking lot and raised between $1,000 to $1,500. He said he thinks the roadblock will be more successful.
“It’s going to be a good weekend,” Banks said. “Saturday is our day in the heat.”
Muscular dystrophy is a group of disorders that involve muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue that get worse over time.
Muscles may be affected across the body, or locally. Muscular dystrophy may occur in adults, but more severe forms tend to occur in early childhood.
There are no known cures for muscular dystrophy. Treatment of the condition currently addresses only its symptoms.
“We are trying to support the community, because they have always supported us,” Banks said. “We’ve got a real soft spot for kids.”
MDA is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related diseases by funding research. It also provides health care and support services, advocacy and education.
“It’s a great cause,” Banks said. “Any time we see a way that we can make a kid’s life easier, we are going to jump on it.”
•Contact Taylor Kuykendall at tkuykendall@gwcommonwealth.com.
