Glynn County firefighters Keith Summers and Joel Cody stood patiently outside Wal-Mart Friday afternoon, boot in hand.

Despite the 90-degree weather, they stood their ground and held the rubber boots up as shoppers dug into their pockets for dollar bills to donate.

It’s all part of the Fill The Boot fund-raising efforts Glynn County firefighters have participated in annually for at least 50 years.

All funds will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The firefighters will be out and about throughout the weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Glynn County Capt. Joe Poppell, who organized the event, said fi refi ghters will be present at Harvey grocery stores on the mainland and Wal-Mart, as well as Winn-Dixie and the St. Simons Island pier.

It’s an event Summers looks forward to every year.

“These kids need all the help they can get and what better way to rack up the most funds than hit the busiest areas in town, like Wal-Mart or the pier area,” he said.

The total amount raised will be called in to the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, which will be broadcast Sunday and Monday from Las Vegas.

Fire departments across the country will be participating.

“It’s kind of a contest between all of us,” said Summers.

The event keeps getting bigger and bigger every year locally, as does the amount of money people give, said Poppell.

“Last year, we raised $8,000,” he said, adding that he expects there will be even more this go around.