Time to Fill the Boot with Loot

March 15, 2012

On Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18, off-duty firefighters from El Dorado County Fire District and IAFF Local 3556 will be shaking their turnout boots and collecting donations to help “Fill the Boot for Burns.”

This event helps raise money to support burn prevention and recovery programs in Northern and Central California.

Last year El Dorado County Fire District firefighters raised more than $12,000 in two days for the Firefighters Burn Institute. All of the money collected goes directly to the Firefighters Burn Institute.

Firefighters will be asking the community to help support burn recovery programs including Firefighters Kids Camp for Young Burn Survivors, Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp, and other burn programs funded by the Firefighters Burn Institute.

In addition to the recovery programs, the donations collected during annual boot drives has also made it possible for the Firefighters Burn Institute to donate one million dollars towards the construction of the new Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center at U.C. Davis Medical Center which opened in 2010.

The new 7,900 square foot, 12-bed burn unit provides comprehensive care to burn patients throughout inland northern California, northwest Nevada and southern Oregon.

Firefighters will be out March 17-18 from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Firefighters will be at Raley’s on Placerville Drive, at the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Main Street in Placerville, and at the corner of Sly Park Road and Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.

Any size donation is welcome and the firefighters hope to the public at one of the three locations set-up for “Fill the Boot for Burns.”