What MDA Summer Camp taught me about why we show up

This article was provided by our partner, the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It has been reviewed by Bionews for accuracy and relevance. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bionews or Muscular Dystrophy News Today.

I grew up being educated on how I could help my fellow community members in Fairfax County, Virginia, holding a boot and asking passing drivers to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). For my family, “Fill the Boot” wasn’t just a fundraiser; it was part of who we are. My dad and so many firefighters I’ve looked up to have spent decades showing up for the MDA, year after year, because they believe in the mission and the people behind it.

As a child, Alex started fundraising for MDA with his father, a Fairfax County, Virginia, firefighter, for the MDA “Fill the Boot” campaign. (Photo courtesy of MDA)

As a kid, I understood that we were raising money for a good cause. I knew it helped families and funded important work. But it wasn’t until I volunteered at MDA Summer Camp that I truly understood what all those hours on the street corner were really for.

Camp changed everything for me.

Walking into MDA Summer Camp for the first time, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I had heard stories, of course — how special it was, how much it meant to campers and volunteers alike — but experiencing it firsthand is something entirely different. From the moment camp begins, there’s an energy that’s hard to describe. It’s a place where barriers come down, and what’s left is pure connection, joy, and independence.

As a volunteer, you’re paired closely with campers living with neuromuscular disease, helping them navigate daily activities, but what you quickly realize is that you’re getting just as much — if not more — out of the experience as they are. You build friendships that don’t feel defined by roles like “volunteer” or “camper.” You’re just people, laughing, trying new things, and making memories together.

I remember moments that stuck with me long after camp ended — watching a camper push past what they thought were their limits, seeing the confidence that comes from trying something new, or just sharing a quiet conversation at the end of a long day. Those moments are what MDA Summer Camp is really about. It’s not just a week away; it’s a space where kids living with neuromuscular conditions can feel a sense of freedom and belonging that can be hard to find elsewhere.

And suddenly, “Fill the Boot” wasn’t just something I grew up doing. It had a face; it had names, stories, and friendships behind it.

Every dollar raised on those streets in my community helps make experiences like camp possible. It supports research, care, and programs that families rely on, but for me, it will always come back to the people. It’s about the campers who show up ready to take on the world, the families who trust us with their children, and the community that makes it all happen.

Alex and a camper at MDA Summer Camp. (Photo courtesy of MDA)

Being part of a firefighter family, I’ve always been taught the importance of service. But MDA gave that idea a deeper meaning. It showed me that service isn’t just about responding in emergencies. It’s about showing up consistently, building relationships, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

What’s especially meaningful to me is seeing how this commitment carries across generations. I grew up watching my dad and his colleagues dedicate themselves to this cause, and now I’ve had the chance to experience it in my own way. It’s not just about continuing a tradition — it’s about understanding why it matters and finding your own connection to it.

MDA Summer Camp gave me that connection.

It reminded me that the impact of what we do doesn’t end when we step away from the boot or leave the intersection. It continues in the lives of the people we support — in their independence, their confidence, and their sense of community.

If you’ve ever donated to “Fill the Boot,” volunteered your time, or supported MDA in any way, you’ve played a part in that impact. I’ve seen it up close, and I can tell you it’s real.

For me, that’s what keeps me coming back — not just to the street corner, but to the mission as a whole. Because once you’ve experienced MDA Summer Camp, you understand that it’s about so much more than fundraising.

It’s about people.