
This weekend, Berkeley firefighters are raising money for muscular dystrophy research, and Berkeley police are collecting donations for holiday turkey baskets for those in need.
Firefighters, out Friday on College Avenue until dark, plan to be out Saturday too, at Piedmont Avenue and Bancroft Way from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., prior to the kickoff for the annual “big game” between the UC Berkeley and Stanford University football teams.
It’s the first year the Berkeley Firefighters Association, Local 1227, has done a fundraiser for muscular dystrophy research through a “Fill the boot” campaign.
The Berkeley Police Association will continue a long tradition with its annual turkey basket fundraiser “to get full turkey dinners into the homes of Berkeley’s most vulnerable families and seniors this holiday season.”
Police “will collect, assemble and distribute these ready to cook baskets to our community for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. We’re hoping to reach our goal quickly to allow time for shopping for the fixin’s! Please help us to reach our goal, and spread some holiday cheer.”

On the fire side, more than 20 firefighters “will fan out across the city with boots in hand for this year’s drive.”
The money will “help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) find urgently needed treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases that severely limit strength and mobility,” according to a prepared statement about the fundraiser.
Know of other worthwhile holiday fundraisers? Please share them in the comments section below.
Related:
Police hold art show to raise money for turkey baskets (11.19.14)
Volunteers stuff 770 grocery bags with holiday food (12.19.11)
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