Crowley firefighters make difference at MDA camp

By Howell Dennis

CITY EDITOR

CROWLEY – For the past several years, Crowley firefighters have raised money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) by holding annual hamburger sales and by the “filling of the boots”. Nearly 850 patients in southwest Louisiana are affected by muscular dystrophy. With the help of these fundraisers, MDA can pay for a patient’s flu shots, clinic visits, leg braces, wheelchairs, and a week at MDA summer camp in Bethany, La.

On June 5, several members of the Crowley Fire Department made the trek up to MDA’s Rainbow Camp held at Camp Bethany, which is located about twenty miles from Shreveport. The firefighters served as “guest chefs” for the day as they cooked lunch and dinner for a group of nearly 300 campers, camp counselors, and support staff. The group, which consisted of Louis Romero, Jonathan Habetz, Johnny Benoit, David Douget, Bryan Quibedeaux, Jonathan Blanchard, and April Mire, of the Abbeville Fire Department, spent the afternoon cooking hot dogs, chili, and crawfish etoufee. All the food was paid for by members of the Crowley Fire Department.

“The MDA truly appreciates these men and the year-round sponsorship,” said Kristi Fredieu, the MDA’s Program Coordinator in Lafayette. “It’s just wonderful how they come out and donate their time for our camp.”

Crowley Firemen Chad Monceaux and Jason Broussard were also recognized by the MDA for their years of service as counselors and cabin leaders at the camp.

The International Association of Firefighters and the MDA have had a partnership to find a cure for neuromuscular diseases for over fifty years.

“The Crowley Fire Department has gone above and beyond by not only continually supporting MDA’s Fill the Boot program, but by being a very valuable resource for MDA’s Rainbow Summer Camp,” said Fredieu.