By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – As Alabaster shoppers were enjoying a weekend without sales tax from Aug. 5-7, they also showed strong support for combating a disease affecting individuals throughout the nation.

Throughout the tax-free weekend, Alabaster firefighters volunteered to man the department’s “Fill the Boot” station at the Walmart store in the Propst Promenade shopping center.

While there, the firefighters worked to greet shoppers and solicit donations for the campaign, which is a nationwide effort to combat muscular dystrophy.

Muscular dystrophy can be any one of a group of dozens of genetic diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degenerations, eventually leading to an inability to move independently. Muscular dystrophy typically affects children more heavily than adults.

For the past several years, the Alabaster Fire Department has joined departments across the nation in setting up fire boots in high-traffic areas to solicit donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which is working to find a cure for the diseases.

While at Walmart during the tax-free weekend, the firefighters asked shoppers to place donations into the boots to benefit the nonprofit organization.

After counting all of the donations – including making a trip to a change-counting machine at the local Publix supermarket – the department recorded a total of $4,512.91.

“People are always so generous every year while we’re out there,” said Alabaster Fire Chief Jim Golden. “We always get a great response.”