Little Sara Gerson sat in her automatic wheelchair at San Vicente and Santa Monica boulevards on Saturday, sipping chocolate milk and saying hello to passers-by while helping raise money to fight her illness.

Three-year-old Sara Gerson (right) puts money in the boot held by firefighter Ryan Fogg on Saturday at the corner of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards. Accompanying Sara is her cousin, Jayla. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

The 3-year-old Sherman Oaks resident has spinal muscular atrophy, a respiratory disease that affects every muscle in the body, her mother, Bobbie, said. She wears corrective casts on her legs because her knees are bent.

Despite her ailments, she seemed pleased to be hanging out with Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters, who were conducting their annual “Fill the Boot” fundraiser to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

“I love Mickey Mouse,” Sara said in an adorable, high-pitched voice, which is a part of her illness.

While she seemed pleasantly content on Saturday, Sara requires 24/7 care, and the disease she is afflicted with has brought unexpected burdens to her family, Bobbie Gerson said.

“It’s life-changing, because when children are first diagnosed, you feel really lost and alone,” she said. “And then when you see people coming out and really caring and giving their time for children they don’t even know — it means the world to us parents to know we’re not alone anymore.”

When Sara was first born, her parents didn’t know what to do, so Bobbie’s mother-in-law contacted MDA. The organization immediately reached out to the family, and began incorporating the Gersons in as many events as possible, Bobbie said. The organization has made a big difference in their lives, she said.

“They got us out of the house,” Bobbie said, adding that taking a child with disabilities out of the house can be “very intimidating.”

Not only could MDA help get Sara out of the house, but the organization can also send her to camp, which Bobbie did not believe was a possibility given the amount of care she requires. The camp, for ages 6 to 21, will allow Sara to feel independent and feel “kind of normal,” Bobbie said.

“She’ll just be able to have fun for a week and be herself,” she added.

Further, the camp will eventually allow Bobbie and her husband, Brian, some free time. The family had just started a business, G & G Glass and Mirror, and with a child who requires constant care even through the night, it’s been difficult for the parents to get time to themselves, Bobbie said.

The hope is for Sara to become more and more mobile while preparing for adulthood, her mother said. She said MDA has been helpful in that regard as well, offering resources, equipment and opportunities to meet with parents whose children have similar challenges.

“You have to learn to reach out to people,” Bobbie said. “It affects her everyday life.”

The “Fill the Boot” fundraiser actually began as a way to help a parent such as Bobbie. In 1952, a father whose son had muscular dystrophy reached out to his local fire station in South Boston to help his son. The station opted to go door to door soliciting donations, and ended up raising $5,000 for the family, MDA fundraising coordinator Whitney McIlwain said.

That initiative eventually went national, and in 1954, the International Association of Fire Fighters named MDA its charity of choice, vowing to support the organization until a cure is found, McIlwain said.

“It means a lot to our organization,” she said of the firefighters’ assistance.

McIlwain said the funding is used to support worldwide research and local services, such as the camp, support groups, medical equipment and local clinics. The organization, which covers neuromuscular diseases, helps approximately 6,000 families in Southern California, she said.

In West Hollywood, firefighters from Station No. 7 and 8 walked the intersection of San Vicente and Santa Monica boulevards last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, soliciting donations from motorists stopped at the traffic light. Generally, the event is held in June, but would have conflicted with the PRIDE Parade and Festival this year.

“We all became firefighters because we truly wanted to help people and be part of the community,” firefighter and paramedic Ryan Fogg said. “And when we do an event like this, it’s just one more way that we’re able to come out here and help people. …It feels absolutely wonderful — especially when we’re meeting the public that we protect and they’re helping us out. We’re coming together as a team. It’s absolutely amazing.”

Battalion Chief Kevin Klar said Station No. 7 and 8 had raised over $13,000 during the three-day event. He said the department is happy to help.

“It’s a great deal. We look forward to it every year,” Klar said, adding that the fundraiser is usually held department-wide at the same time.

Firefighter and paramedic Rickey Sewell was among the firefighters in full gear on a relatively hot summer day, requesting donations.

“Oh, it feels great,” he said of the fundraising. “Some of the guys have gone to the camp, and said it’s a really good thing. [We’re] happy to help.”

Engineer Jason Vasquez agreed.

“We do it every year, and I always have a good time doing it,” he added.

City Councilman John Duran was on hand. He praised the firefighters for their philanthropy and said the city was pleased to be a part of the event.

“This is something that the city is very happy to be participating in,” Duran said, noting that the partnership has been ongoing for more than 60 years. “We’re really happy to partner with them.”

For information, visit www.mda.org.