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COLUMBIA (WACH) - If you rolled down your window to throw spare change into a firefighter's boot last month, your contribution helped make the MDA Boot Drive a "great success."

Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins and Executive Director of the Midlands Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Tara Heil announced Tuesday that this years Boot Drive was another great success by bringing in $132,758; nearly $5,000 more than last years total.

“Each year the department strives to increase donations raised from the previous year and in light of the economy and rising fuel prices this years donations surpassed last years total”, said Chief Aubrey Jenkins. “The monies raised provides life saving services to local families and assists with research for a cure; this could not be accomplished each year without the generous contributions of the citizens of the City of Columbia and Richland County and its visitors”.

MDA’s relationship with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department goes back more than 50 years. The drive grew in the late 1990’s when they were allowed to collect in the intersections and on duty.

According to Tara Heil, “Once again, by the generosity of those that donated, the Boot Drive is the single largest fundraising event for MDA of the Midlands. We are proud to partner with CRFD each year and appreciate the help and hope they provide to local families served by our district office.”

Chief Jenkins announced before this years event that the department was honored by the MDA for raising the most money for the 2011 MDA Boot Drive in the Southeast.