Dear IAFF Members:
It’s with deep gratitude that I express my awe at your extraordinary dedication to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. For more than 50 years you’ve “filled your boot” to support MDA’s programs that offer help and hope to people with neuromuscular diseases.
Fire fighters have given selflessly of their time and resources to help MDA, and it never ceases to gratify me that so many of you care so much about “my kids.” The IAFF’s tremendous support — especially its heroic, record-breaking efforts during the year-long celebration of our partnership in 2004 — has brought us closer to finding the means by which Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases will be successfully treated and cured. Credit for this magnificent achievement goes to IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger — and to each fire fighter who played a part.
As we start our second half-century together, your friendship means the world to me. You’re always on MDA’s front line, and it’s thanks to fire fighters that victory is within reach.
Love and appreciation …
Jerry Lewis
National Chairman
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Thank You IAFF and especially Mr. Harold Schaitberger
You are my heroes and have been all of my life. Your tireless and selfless work taking care of us and too often at the expense of your own lives is an example of great courage and abiding love that is a gift from God. You do not get the kind of recognition you all deserve but I wanted you all to know how much your efforts mean to me and my family.
I have just finished watching the 2006 Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and watched your President Harold Schaitberger present over 23 Million dollars. Mere words cannot describe the feeling of gratitude and love I feel in my heart for you Mr. Schaitberger and all of the 270,000 plus strong members of the IAFF. I never dreamed that when I reached my 40's I would become one of Jerry's Kids. It is easier to battle MD knowing I have all of you standing with me. I am honored and humbled to be in your presence.
Sincerely Yours,
Mark Schierbecker
2976 Arden Way
Snellville, GA 30039
MDA Goodwill Ambassador’s Heartfelt Thanks
Thank you for risking!
Thank you for risking your lives to fight fires and save people.
For risking your lives to become involved in the life of children and adults with Muscular Dystrophy.
My son has Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy. He is 11 years old. My son couldn't move if he put on the boots, jacket, helmet himself. He moves now, only through the efforts of the firemen who wear those things. My son can't fight fires...he's too busy fighting for his life. Thank you for fighting that fire for him...the fire of life. My son is the joy of my life and thanks to you...he has hope.
Thank you for your work for Muscular Dystrophy.
My son is my hero.
You are my hope!
Gabe's Dad!
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Dear IAFF Members:
Year after year I watch IAFF support Jerry's Kids in ways that always amaze me. You can be sure that every time I see someone with a boot to fill, I will help fill it. I have always and will always help IAFF and help Jerry's kids.
Your work is honorable and know that I am always there for you. I have been a Jerry Lewis supporter since I was a child growing up in Peoria Ill where I use to have a carnival to raise money for Jerry.
I am always amazed in what people and organizations CAN DO and in the case of the IAFF actually DO for the good of people. When I look at an idea such as filling the boot, how simple of an idea that is and how POWERFUL the outcome has become.
Philip Haddad
Houston, Texas
I would like to say Thank You from my Heart to all of you who went out and did some sort of fundraising for MDA.
My name is John Eeten. I am from Darien-Woodridge, IL Local 3437. My wife of 25 years was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy about 5 years ago. With the help of all of you wonderful people she has been able to get the help she needs, the meds she needs, and the care she needs to keep going. Without all of you out there, I don't know where we would be today!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
John R. Eeten, Jr.
Darien-Woodridge, IL Local 3437
Sierra Nevada's Former MDA Goodwill Ambassador Bethany Pipes thanks IAFF members for affecting her life in a big positive way.
To all my wonderful fire fighter friends,
I thought this might be a good time to send an update to area fire fighters on some of the things I have been doing since I first became Sierra Nevada MDA Junior Goodwill Ambassador. It's important to me to let those who've influenced my life know that their hard work was not wasted, and that good things continue to happen as a result of their efforts. Read more...
Dear President Schaitberger:
As the mother and grandmother of two clients of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, I want you to know how very much it means to all of us out here that your union continues to be so seriously involved in the efforts for MDA. For me personally, it's just such a deep comfort to see your gentle face every year during the Telethon.
My granddaughter served a total of four years as a Junior Goodwill Ambassador, and my daughter became a helper for MDA at the age of 13 - long before we even knew that she had Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, and would also give birth to a child with the same genetic disorder. Bethany, my granddaughter, has a special place in her heart for fire fighters - she's had a great deal of interaction with them in Reno and Sparks, Nev. for the past several years, and people like Curtis Date are almost like family to us.
God bless and keep you and all the men and women in your organization who work so hard to make such wonderful things happen for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. You may not get many personal messages like this, but I believe it's important to let others know what they mean to you - that it MATTERS to you - whether you know them or not.
Sharon Kaufman
Portola, Calif.
I just wanted to say thank you to MDA for giving these kids a great camp to go to. The MDA staff was super and cared so much for these kids. I have never been so touched by anything like this before and I have to say it was the best week of my life. I am going to make a lifetime commitment to MDA and these kids, and will be out on the streets spreading the word of the great job that MDA does and how special these kids are. Thanks again for all you do.
Palm Beach County, Fla. Local 2928 member Jeff Smith after his first MDA summer camp in Brandon, Fla.
Dear Fire fighters and MDA,
My daughter, Halsey, has SMA II and we were adopted by Fort Wayne, IN Local 124 through the MDA. Halsey is loving the fire fighters. I was looking through your other stories and came across fire fighter J. J. Halsey of Colorado and wanted to send a shout out to J. J. to say thanks for helping the MDA from a very special 5.5 year old Halsey.
My daughter, Halsey, is named after my Grandma's maiden name, Margaret Halsey, who was originally from Long Island, New York. I know there are other Halsey's but you are the special one.
Mathew Rosbrugh
Father of MDA kid Halsey
Dear Fire fighters and MDA,
I have attended your last three summer camps and it has had an incredible impact on me. I have witnessed these kids enjoy and do things that they probably do not accomplish during their normal day-to-day activities. It gives an unforgettable to see fire fighters work with MDA kids. In my opinion, summer camp is one of the most important services your organization provides for these kids and their families.
Lt. Mark V. Wiggins
Albuquerque Fire Department
From June 2003 Summer Camp in Socorro, NM
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