NEWS

Firefighters will collect for MDA Thursday and Friday

Anna Jeffries
Reporter
  • Newark fire captain Doug Vermaaten wants make his last year as state MDA coordinator the best yet.
  • Newark firefighters will be collecting for Fill the Boot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday
  • They’ll be at the intersection of North 21st Street and Log Pond Drive.

NEWARK — For the last 15 years, Labor Day weekend has been a a busy one for Doug Vermaaten.

Since 2000, the Newark fire captain has been the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Coordinator for the state.

One of his key duties has been overseeing the annual Fill the Boot campaign, which raises money for research, services and MDA’s annual summer camp for children.

Over the years, he’s led Ohio fire departments to raise around $10 million to help fight neuromuscular diseases.

But after this year’s Fill the Boot drive, he’ll be passing the baton to someone else.

“I’ve officially announced my retirement (as state coordinator),” he said. “So I’d really like to go out with a bang.”

His goal is for the Ohio to raise $1 million this year. But to do that, it will take the support of Newark residents and generous people around the state, Vermaaten said.

“My mantra this year is, ‘Raise a million bucks for Doug,’ ” he said.

Off-duty Newark firefighters will be volunteering their time Thursday and Friday, collecting donations in their boots at the intersection of North 21st Street and Log Pond Drive.

The firefighters, who are members of IAFF Local 109, will be out from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days. They’ll also be collecting donations during the AFl-CIO Labor Day parade Monday.

Last year, Newark residents donated $13,400. This year, Vermaaten is asking everyone to donate $1 more than last year and be patient as firefighters slow traffic to collect the contributions.

“We’ll take the change out of the ashtray,” he said. “We’ll take whatever you’re glad to give us.”

Vermaaten also asked people making a donation to tweet about their experience — when they have stopped driving — using the hashtag #filltheboot. They also can share photos of themselves donating on social media.

“Our goal is to get #filltheboot trending,” he said. “Fill the Boot is in its 51st year, and I think that would be a great way to start the second half-century.

It’s been a phenomenal experience to serve as state MDA coordinator, Vermaaten said. Over the years, he’s meet hundreds of firefighters, patients and their families.

He plans to still be involved in Fill the Boot locally and will always be a phone call away for anyone in the MDA community who is in need.

He plans to continue advocating for the cause, both as a firefighter and with his family.

“I learned about MDA through my dad because my dad was a firefighter and my youngest son had expressed interest in becoming a firefighter,” he said. “If that’s what he wants to do, I hope he understands his responsibility to MDA.”

ajeffries@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8544

Twitter: @amsjeffries

How to help

Off duty Newark firefighters will be collecting donations for Fill the Boot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the intersection of North 21st Street and Log Pond Drive.