— Submitted photo Fareway officials present a check for $163,553 to MDA representatives following a successful MDA Shamrock fundraising program February 15 through March 17. Fareway customers were able to purchase an MDA Shamrock pinup at the checkout counter.

BOONE — The Muscular Dystrophy Association of Iowa announced today that its 2018 Fareway Shamrocks fundraising program raised $163,553 to help free kids and adults from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases. This is the highest donation amount raised through the Shamrock program during the history of the Fareway Stores and MDA partnership.

From February 15th through March 17, Fareway Stores Inc. participated in the St. Patrick’s Day fundraising program in which customers purchased an iconic MDA Shamrock pinup for just a $1, $5 or a larger contribution at checkout. Each paper Shamrock was signed by generous customers and prominently displayed in each store, symbolizing strength, independence and life for MDA families in the community.

“Once again, Fareway retailers, their customers, and employees have gone above and beyond to make a meaningful difference for people whose everyday freedoms — walking, talking and even breathing –have been taken away by neuromuscular diseases,” said MDA of Iowa Director of Business Development, Brette Dowson. “It is because of their generosity that MDA is able to provide lifesaving research and support to help these individuals and their families live longer, grow stronger and experience a world without limits.”

“We are proud to support MDA and their mission to find a cure for muscle debilitating diseases,” said Reynolds W. Cramer. “We would like to thank our generous customers for continuing to make the shamrocks campaign an overwhelming success.”

This year the MDA Shamrocks program celebrated its 36th anniversary, uniting tens of thousands of retail locations throughout the country to benefit the organization’s shared mission to fund groundbreaking research across diseases and provide individuals with life-enhancing programs and support services, including state-of-the-art multidisciplinary care the MDA Care Center at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funds raised also make MDA Summer Camp possible for more than 70 area kids where they can experience the best week of the year at no cost to their families.

To learn more about the 2018 MDA Shamrocks program and how to get involved, contact MDA Director of Business Development, Brette Dowson at (515) 681-2363 or bdowson@mdausa.org, or visit mda.org/shamrocks.