COLORADO SPRINGS — The annual "Fill the Boot" campaign is the latest casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fundraiser by firefighters for the Muscular Dystrophy Association will be virtual this year.
The International Association of Firefighters said social distancing has made it impossible to collect in-person donations.
In past years firefighters would station themselves at intersections in cities across the country to collect critical funds from the community, one dollar at a time.
IAFF Local 5, the Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters, has been a major contributor to the program and consistently brings in large donations for the area.
They said they will miss the outreach to the community.
"It's very odd to us because we love that social interaction. We love talking with our citizens. That gives us time to talk about Muscular Dystrophy and what we raise the money for. And, it also just gives us that conversation to talk with the kids and show them the fire trucks," said Local 5 2nd VP Chris Jones.
Firefighters said in recent years people have asked about a cashless option to donate, so they hope this year will be better than ever.
More information will be available on the Colorado Springs Firefighters Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
