With a goal of $5000, Austin firefighters are asking the public to stick their hands in their boots — and leave a donation.

After 18 years, Austin firefighters from Local 598, are stationing themselves at a couple intersections in town asking for donations to go toward combating muscular dystrophy.

Called the Fill the Boot drive, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) combines with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) annually. This year’s drive began Thursday and wraps up today.

This is the 55th year of the partnership between MDA and the IAFF and has seen the IAFF raise nearly $375 million since 1954, according to www.mda.org. Austin firefighters, however, are just getting back into the groove after nearly 20 years off.

“There were a lot of different reasons,” firefighter and organizer Tim Olson said. “There were so many distractions at the fire department the last 18 years, overshadowing everything else.

“We’re a younger department now and a lot of the younger guys thought we should be doing it again,” he said.

Firefighters are stationing themselves at the intersections of Oakland Avenue and 12th Street West and at Fourth Street and First Drive Northwest.

“This is a great way for firefighters and MDA to partner up,” said Betsey Krause, fundraising coordinator for the Minneapolis MDA. “We’re really excited to be back in Austin.”

Without knowing first day totals for sure, Olson said donations looked good.

“It seemed like a good day,” he said. “It’s been overwhelming the positive response we’ve seen. We just want to thank the citizens so far. It’s been very heartwarming to those of us volunteering our time.”

Of course something like this wouldn’t be complete without the possibility of a little competition.

“After three days we’re hoping to make it,” Olson said of the $5,000 goal and then added, “as long as we beat those guys in Albert Lea.”

With a friendly rivalry between the two departments, Olson sees an opportunity to raise even more money for a good cause.

“We’ll contact their union members, but right now it’s informal,” Olson said.

Firefighters will be out today, the final day of the drive, at both intersections from 3 to 7 p.m.