Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (WACH) -- If you drove through Columbia this week, you probably saw firefighters at intersections collecting money in their boots.

Friday was Columbia Fire Department's third and final day raising that money this year, and those funds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The money will be used to fund research for a cure to the disease.

Chief Aubrey Jenkins says last year the fire department raised more than $130 thousand. The goal this year was to up the ante and raise at least $140 thousand.

"There are other fire departments that's doing this as well," said Jenkins. "We have actually been the number one fire department on the east coast over the last couple years, so we're proud of that."

The annual event with Columbia Fire Dept. has been going on for more than ten years, collecting more than $1 million in total over the years.