Firefighters Nathan Callaway (left) and Joey Splawn hold boots during Whitfield County Fire Department’s 25th annual Give Burns the Boot drive on Oct. 4.
Georgia United Credit Union was so generous to count the change from the boot drive, officials with the Whitfield County Fire Department said. Branch Manager Vonda Bledsoe (not pictured) allowed Pat Howell (left) and Eduardo Fraire to do this for the fire department and the Georgia Burn Foundation.
From left, firefighters Ryab Robbs, Eric Craft, Sam Hammontree, and Cody Kendrick helped with the 25th annual Whitfield County Fire Department Give Burns the Boot drive.
Posing with a bucket full of cash collected from local residents are firefighters (from left) Kevin McDermott, Sean Hughes, Taylor White, Nick Hogg, Hank Henson, and Richard Grooms.
A bin has been set up at Whitfield County Fire Station 1 on Cleveland Highway for residents to bring empty aluminum cans for recycling, with 90 percent of the proceeds going to the Georgia Burn Foundation and 10 percent to fire safety education efforts in the county. The bin is located in the front parking lot of the station, with plans to move it periodically to other stations in the county.
photo by Mitch Talley
Whitfield County firefighters collected $15,071.22 during their 25th annual Give Burns the Boot drive on Oct. 4.
Local residents reached into their wallets, purses, and pockets and dropped bills and change into firefighters’ boots at five intersections, including Cleveland Highway and the North Bypass, Cleveland Highway and Ga. Highway 2, Airport Road and Chatsworth Highway, Highway 41 and Connector 3, and Highway 201 and Highway 41.
Over the past five years, firefighters have collected a total of $77,374.
Ninety percent of the money collected goes to the Georgia Burn Foundation, with 10 percent remaining with the local fire department to help with fire safety education efforts.
“We appreciate the support of our local residents every year,” Lt. Chris West said. “Their generosity helps many children in our state who have suffered burn injuries.”
Mr. West said fire and burn injuries can strike anyone at any time.
“The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation is working to help prevent fire-related injuries and deaths through education,” he said. “In addition, the Foundation supports the burn centers in Georgia to allow them to offer the best possible treatment for the patients.”
Fire Chief Edward O’Brien pointed out that the funds will be used by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation to operate Camp Oo-U-La, Georgia’s only camp held exclusively for burn-injured children between the ages of seven and 17.
Last year about 100 children with burn injuries attended the camp, paid for entirely by the Burn Foundation. This effort allows the campers one week a year in which they can live without society’s cruel comments and stares at their scars and just be kids.
“By supporting the Boot Drive, the public is also supporting their local fire department and their own community,” Burn Foundation Executive Director Dennis Gardin said.
The Whitfield County firefighters also gave a special thanks to Georgia United Credit Union for helping count the money that was collected.
The Burn Foundation was founded in 1982 by a group of DeKalb County firefighters. Over the last 32 years, the foundation has grown to incorporate the entire state and expanded its work to include all Georgians. In 1990, the Give Burns the Boot campaign was started to support the foundation’s efforts. Since that time, firefighters have continued their support by collecting more than $12 million.
For more information, go to www.gfbf.org.