Volunteers from the Tri-State Fire Protection District have announced they have raised their goal for collecting donations for the annual Fill-the-Boot Campaign by nearly 20 percent from 2008.

Last year the organization raised $33,000 for the Chicago Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, this year the goal is $40,000, the organization said in a press release.

Every Friday throughout July firefighters from Fire Fighters Local 3165 will be collecting donations by standing on street corners holding collection boots.

The Fill-the-Boot Campaign originated in Nevada in the mid 1950s when two firefighters — Butch Snyder and Jim Grigsby — decided to collect funds to help Jerry’s Kids.

Since then firefighters around the country have helped raise more than $140 million for the MDA.

For more information on the Muscular Dystrophy Association visit www.mda.org.