Continuing its long tradition of supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department will hold its Fill the Boot fundraiser this Saturday.

The fundraiser will take place at H-E-B Cypress Market, 24224 Hwy. 290 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Volunteer firefighters will aim to fill their boots with donations from the public to support the MDA's Houston Chapter.

During last year's fundraiser, Cy-Fair firefighters raised more than $44,000 to help fight those suffering from degenerative neuromuscular diseases, with proceeds going toward research and assistance programs, outpatient clinics and public education efforts.

"It's not just the fire department's effort, it's a community effort," said Mark Kimberley, public information officer with Cy-Fair VFD. "People cheer and blow their horns. It makes us feel so good to know that they are behind us all way while we are standing out there raising money."

Around the time of the event, MDA usually brings kids to the station to meet the firefighters.

"It is just a really great feeling to see the looks on their faces and how happy it makes them to see the fire trucks and firefighters," Kimberley said.

Money raised also helps make it possible for children from 6 to 17 years old to attend a week of the MDA's summer camp for free where Cy-Fair VFD firefighters volunteer as counselors.

"MDA has done a great job over the years generating awareness, but we can always do more," Kimberley said. "It's just a horrible thing to see a young kid go through these hardships because of this disease. Just in the past couple of years, doctors have discovered new treatments for diseases that they didn't have treatments for. We just have to do all we can to get these kids out of wheelchairs."

For more information on the MDA's Houston Chapter, visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/mdahouston.