21st Annual “Fill the Boot” Firefighter Boot Drive
21st Annual “Fill the Boot” Firefighter Boot Drive
Help Support Local Burn Survivors
SAN DIEGO — On Thursday, March 5, 2020, local firefighters will take to the streets for the Burn Institute of San Diego-Imperial counties’ 21st Annual “Fill the Boot for the Burn Institute” Firefighter Boot Drive. Hundreds of uniformed firefighters will be stationed at intersections across the county to collect donations for the Burn Institute’s fire and burn prevention education and burn survivor support services.
Each year, firefighters hit the streets with their boots in hand at intersections around their local community to collect donations during the morning commutes. Passing motorists help to fill those boots with their spare change — ones, fives, twenties – even $100 bills. No matter the economy or weather, San Diegans have always given generously. This year, dedicated firefighters from 30 departments will hit the streets at over 100 intersections around the county.
Proceeds benefit the Burn Institute’s fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support services such as Camp Beyond the Scars for burn-injured children. This unique camp program has provided a safe place for hundreds of young burn survivors to share their experiences in a supportive and nurturing camp environment. In addition, a portion of the Boot Drive donations are used to sustain the Red Line of Courage Fund, designed to provide financial support to members of the fire service who sustain a burn injury while on duty. This unique program assists with the immediate and long-term needs that arise while our local heroes are recovering from the trauma of a burn.
“The Burn Institute’s programs help bring smiles back to children, help bring light to a very dark time, help make tomorrow’s obstacles just a little easier to face and help turn burn victims into burn survivors,” said Brooke, a firefighter burn survivor.
What began two decades ago as a grassroots effort backed by the fire service, the Burn Institute’s countywide Boot Drive has become a hallmark fundraiser for the organization raising over $200,000 for Burn Institute programs and services each year!
Sponsored by the San Diego Firefighters Advisory Council, the Burn Institute’s 21st Annual Firefighter Boot Drive is the organization’s largest one-day fundraiser. All of the funds raised through the Boot Drive will stay locally here in San Diego County. As always, the top fire department from each region will win the Burn Institute’s highly coveted bronze Boot Drive trophy and the much sought-after bragging rights.
If you do not catch a red light or see a firefighter on your commute, you can still donate at burninstitute.org/donate/.
Promotional photos and logo available here.
*** MEDIA OPPORTUNITY will be available on Thursday, March 5 from 6:30am-9:30am located at San Diego Fire-Rescue Department Station 1 (1222 1st Ave, San Diego, CA 92101).***
About the Burn Institute:
The Burn Institute is a local non-profit dedicated to educating and inspiring our communities to prevent burn injuries and empowering those affected by burn trauma through supportive services. Founded in 1972, one of the Institute’s first accomplishments was to help establish the area’s first and only regional burn center. Today, the Burn Institute continues to reach tens of thousands of children and adults each year with lifesaving fire and burn prevention education and burn survivor support programs that help individuals and families cope with the devastating psychological and physical effects of their burn injuries. For more information on the Burn Institute, visit www.burninstitute.org.
You can connect with the Burn Institute on Facebook @BurnInstitute & Twitter @Burn_Institute
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