by the City of Galesburg
Galesburg Fire Department (GFD) ranked second in the State of Illinois for dollars collected in the 2024 Fill the Boot Campaign! Thanks to the incredible generosity of the community, and unwavering commitment of the department, $31,157.11 was raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association by GFD. Galesburg placed second in the State of Illinois, trailing only behind Chicago.
“I am incredibly proud of the Fire Department for their selfless dedication to helping others, and
deeply thankful for the community’s continued support,” said Fire Chief Randy Hovind.
The annual Fill the Boot Campaign supports the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the leading
voluntary health organization in the US dedicated to fighting muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related
neuromuscular diseases. Funds raised through Fill the Boot directly support MDA’s life-saving work,
which includes groundbreaking research, comprehensive care, and tireless advocacy. MDA is the
largest non-governmental source of funding for neuromuscular disease research, leading to
approved, life-changing therapies. In addition, MDA supports care centers at top health care
institutions and provides the opportunity for thousands of children and young adults to attend
MDA Summer Camp and other recreational programs at no cost to families.
The State of Illinois rankings for the most funds raised through the Fill the Boot Campaign are
Chicago first, Galesburg second, and Orland Park, third. Even within the IAFF 8 th District,
encompassing the five-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan, Galesburg
scored in the top five! The top five earners in the five-state region in order are Chicago, IL;
Cleveland, OH; Kokomo, IN; Lafayette, IN; and Galesburg, IL.
“This truly demonstrates what our community can achieve,” said City Manager, Eric Hanson.
“Thanks to the leadership of our Fire Department and the generosity of our residents, Galesburg
was highly competitive both statewide and across the multi-state region.”
The Galesburg Fire Department annually participates in the Fill the Boot Campaign to benefit the
Muscular Dystrophy Association. Plans for 2025 are already underway, and citizens can watch for
opportunities to give in person on the Friday before, during and after Labor Day weekend. You can
donate anytime to GFD’s campaign online
