HOWLAND, Ohio - Firefighters in Howland will be taking to the streets Friday morning to collect donations for its annual "Fill the Boot" fundraiser.

The fundraiser has been conducted by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) since 1954 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and will be taking place in Howland on Friday, November 24.

The partnership with IAFF and MDA began when the union signed a proclamation designating MDA its charity of choice and vowing to continue to raise awareness and funds until cures are found.

So far, the nearly seven-decade partnership has raised over $679 million with involvement from over 300,000 firefighters across the country. These funds have led in part to over a dozen FDA-approved drugs for those with neuromuscular disease.

Firefighters will be out between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in Howland Corners boots in hand asking passerby for donations.