Rooftop Camp Out

Spring marks a significant time of year for firefighters in Medicine Hat, as they gear up for the annual Rooftop Camp Out for Muscular Dystrophy. This annual event not only showcases the dedication of local firefighters but also serves a greater purpose in raising funds for individuals living with muscular dystrophy. Today on Bring Back The Porch Brian welcomes Adam Moser from the MHFD to learn more about the Rooftop Camp Out and how it has grown to be a favourite event for the city and the firefighters too.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and welcome
01:01 History and Origins of the Camp Out
02:01 The Relationship Between Firefighters and Muscular Dystrophy
03:01 Fundraising Milestones and Community Impact
04:33 Event Details and Physical Setup at Medicine Hat
05:05 How to Donate and Contribute
06:30 Role of the Fire Department and Foundation
07:45 Alternative Ways to Support the Cause
08:37 Upcoming Event Dates and Final Remarks

Understanding the Rooftop Camp Out 
The Rooftop Camp Out is an engaging fundraiser organized by local firefighters, now in its 17th year. The initiative began in 2009 with Patrick Jerome's vision, and it has since grown into a cherished community event. The camp out is scheduled for April 10th to 12th this year, taking place at Fire Hall Number Two on TransCanada Way.

The Purpose Behind the Camp Out
Since its inception, the event has raised over $408,000 in Medicine Hat alone, contributing to a national total of over $100 million for muscular dystrophy initiatives across Canada. The funds support research and provide assistance to families affected by the condition.The camp out enhances community spirit as firefighters camp on the roof of the fire hall, encouraging locals to donate and show their support. The firefighters' commitment to the cause fosters a sense of unity and pride within the community.

How the Camp Out Works 
During the event, firefighters will set up camp on the roof and remain there for the duration of the weekend. Attendees can come by to donate, and firefighters will be on hand shaking boots to collect contributions. For those unable to attend in person, donations can also be made online through the newly launched website, mhffcharity.com.

What to Expect 
Firefighters will climb a ladder to access the roof at noon on April 10th and will come down on April 12th. They’ll have limited creature comforts, but their dedication to the cause keeps the morale high, despite unpredictable weather conditions. The event encourages everyone to stop by, say hello, or make a donation. A boot on a rope will be used for easy contributions, and for those who prefer a quick drop-off, there’s a designated loop for convenient access.

Why Support Matters 
Supporting the Rooftop Camp Out goes beyond just making a donation; it’s about contributing to a larger cause that affects many families. The funds raised play a crucial role in advancing medical research for muscular dystrophy treatments and helping families cope with the challenges posed by the condition, providing resources and assistance.

Key Takeaways
- The Rooftop Camp Out is a vital event that raises funds for muscular dystrophy.
- It promotes community involvement and camaraderie among firefighters and residents.
- Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s through participation or monetary support.

Conclusion 
The Rooftop Camp Out is more than just a fundraising event; it embodies the spirit of community, support, and dedication to a noble cause. As we gear up for this year’s camp out, remember that your contributions, whether big or small, can make a significant impact. Mark your calendars for April 10th to 12th a

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Transcript

0:00

Hey, this is Brian again. And I'd like to ask you to do a favor. We can't do this work without people like you. So if you can, please, like, share, subscribe. Tell your friends about bring back the porch. We used to do a little bit earlier in the year, but, last year for different reasons, we did it in April and it just seemed to generate a little bit nicer weather, seem to generate a little bit more foot traffic. And our campers didn't complain either. So. This episode of Bring Back the Porch, brought to you by Bernie Leahy, River Street Realty. Let's get you home. You'll always tell it's spring when the firefighters in that scene that go camping. Adam Moser joins us to talk about the rooftop campout for muscular dystrophy. Welcome to the. Porch. Thanks for having me. Pleasure to be. Here. How many years now have they been doing the campout? I know that they used to do the boot drive years ago. Yeah. So this would be 17 years. Our 17th year. First year was 2009. Well, Lieutenant, now, Patrick Jerome started the first one in oh nine. Doing it ever since. Yeah. And the response from the public has always been very well received. Very much so. Yeah. We used to do a little bit earlier in the year, but, last year for different reasons, we did it in April and it just seemed to generate a little bit nicer weather, seem to generate a little bit more foot traffic. And our campers didn't complain either. So. Yeah. Who do you draw straws to see who has this? No, no. Usually, I mean, there's always two crews. It'll be off. So you usually don't have too much issues with people. I mean, everybody gets behind it. People are there trying to fill the boot, shake a boot. So it's kind of fun. So usually don't have too much issues with getting people up there. Yeah. Have you camped on the roof? I have it. No, no. So this is my third year on the foundation. And this year would work perfect with our schedule. But now I'm, kind of quarterbacking, running the whole thing, so I'll be there, but I won't be on the roof. It is for a very worthy cause. It is? Yup. And I think it goes back to 1954. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. When the firefighters across Canada. I think it started in Toronto. Yeah. That actually goes a little bit further before that. So it's actually interesting. So muscular dystrophy and the relationship with the fire service actually goes back to Boston, Massachusetts. Oh yeah. So it's in 54. So as the story goes, there was a group of parents, who whose children lived with a type of MD, and they do different things within the community activities. And one of the things was they went to a fire hall. And again, as the story goes, there was a firefighter there that just took it to heart. He ended up going to Toronto and it just took off from there. And now there's 600 departments across Canada that support MD. Okay. Do you have any numbers as to how much has been raised in medicine and over law? Yeah. Medicine hat so 1971 was the our first partnership. That was with the boot drive. Since then there's been we've raised$408,000.$408,000, four. Hundred and $8,000. Yeah. That's something to be proud of. Yeah. And so across Canada, since 1954, it's over 100 million. And that, again, is another good number. Yes, very much so. The, the idea of of not doing the boot drive, you used to stand in traffic that wasn't very safe. No, no. So, yeah, the Capote actually started in Edmonton in 2006. I hope I see his name right. Paul McGonigle was his name. And he had this idea in February in Edmonton that he was going to go camp on the roof for muscular dystrophy. And I wrote back. I mean, it worked out well because it definitely caught on, but, yeah, ever since then, it's been kind of that thing that's growing. So camp outs aren't exclusive to Alberta, but it's most of the camp outs are predominantly Alberta. Okay. Everybody else is still kind of doing the boot drive or different fundraisers for me. Okay. April the 10th to the 12th. How's it going to work physically here in medicine at, out at number two Hall? Yes. So that's one on Trans-Canada way there. And, yeah, they'll be there at noon. The climb the ladder and put the ladder truck up the climb up there at noon and then they'll come back down Sunday at noon. Do they have any creature comforts with them? No. No, not too much. No. Not even a heater to keep you warm. Well, they'll have that. They might bring a TV or an iPad or something, but yeah, we'll see. Last year was really interesting because they went up on Friday. They were in shorts and they had their Hawaiian shirts on. And then Saturday was blizzard and wind and they were, actually in the tent and the wind caught it in the middle of the night. It actually lifted them off the ground. So it's, it's well, it's southern Alberta weather, right? It's what you'd expect. But we'll see what happens this year. So traffic on Trans-Canada way. Can you come through in front of the fire hall to donate or. Yeah. Yeah. So it's actually perfect right there because there's kind of that loop that comes in. So you can just pull right in right off the road and then drop a donation if you want to park and say hello. And then from the roof, they'll actually have a boot on a rope and if you want to, if want to donate that way you can will have, a boot with a tap that works as well. But if you just want to pull in and drive away right away, that's fine too. And do you get a tax receipt if it's over a certain amount? We don't. Know. So that's kind of, something that we've been looking at recently. So we call ourselves a charity and we are a charity. We do charitable things, but from a registration standpoint, with the CRA, we are actually registered as a nonprofit, which doesn't allow us to write tax receipts. All right. You mentioned that you were on a foundation. Yeah. What what is the what is it? Is this the sole work of, the foundation? No, no, not at all. Not at all. So the the this we're a part of the medicine out firefighters charitable foundation. There's eight of us. We do various things throughout the community throughout the year. Last year was, a big year for us. We were able to do quite a bit, make a few smaller donations. Big brothers, big sisters. We do a lot with the root cellar every year. Last year was really fun, actually. We, we purchased toys for, Santa Claus Fund as well as running McDonald House. So a handful of us went to Costco and got to spend $5,000 on toys. It was awesome. Yeah, it's so much fun. So we we do things like that. There was a waiting room in the hospital that, needed some updates. So we were able to fund the painting, new furniture, new blinds, etc. for that. So we do we do a lot throughout the year. I imagine it was like a bunch of little kids out there buying toys. Oh, it was great. It was awesome. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it was great. Is the annual, ball game with the medicine at City Police Service. Part of this fundraising or part of the foundation? We'll be involved. We'll be involved. But that's more of, a whole union type thing. But this is to, I guess, like we're going to have it takes a lot of manpower for this camp out because we're going to have guys out there, most of them off duty, actually, the vast majority of them off duty. They'll be out shaking the boot trying to fill the boot. So, takes a lot of manpower for this. So even though this is kind of organized by the foundation, it really is an entire fire department effort for this weekend. A lot of manpower. And people, they drive by. Yeah. Always honk. They do? Yeah. I guess that helps with morale. It does for sure. I mean, it's great for us to you because it's a it's a firefighting is a great job. It really is. And you're serving the community in some difficult times, for sure. But when you see that support. Right. And we're trying to support a good cause and then we get the support from the community, it's the whole weekends. Just very rewarding. Yeah. We have to keep in mind, though, that it is working fire Hall on those days absolutely don't block the doors. Yeah for sure. But that's the advantage of station two there that there is plenty of room. Yeah. So it hasn't been an issue before. And there's enough room there. We block certain amount certain areas off where it's it's safe. Yeah. Is there a way that people can contribute to the cause without having to be out there at number two? Yes, actually. Glad you asked. So this fall, we launched a website. So now we can take donations. Credit card. For charity, e-commerce, the website. And if you want to e-transfer all the information's on there as well. So we're kind of, interested and optimistic to see how that plays in this year. Who's going to be the campers this year? So, Cole Schaffer and Andrew Archer will be up there. Okay. Yeah. Does they know that? Yes. They do. Yeah. Yeah. No, they signed up for this. We were talking about that earlier. Actually, it's. You don't usually have too much issues getting guys to to volunteer for this like it is. It is such a good cause and it is fun. It's such a traditional thing. Fire service is such a traditional thing. So even just not from campers, but just getting guys out to shake a boot for it's a big ass. Great. Like it's a whole weekend. Yeah. So, yeah, we usually get pretty good support for this event. Well, I'm sure that, 2026 will be no different. Again. The dates. Adam. August. April 10th to the 12th. And, the hours. So they're going to climb up the ladder at noon on the 10th, the Friday there, and then they'll climb back down on Sunday at noon. All right. Well, we wish you good luck. And we thank you for bringing this to the porch. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. I'm.