Dalton Shriner Billy Herron shows his enthusiasm as he gives this motorist a thumbs-up for a donation during the boot drive
Bruce Ridley, past potentate of Yaarab Shrine, holds out a boot for a motorist to drop her donation inside
Lt. Chris West of the Whitfield County Fire Department collects a donation from a young passenger
Shriner Jerry Leonard and Lt. Mac MacFadden celebrate another successful year for the “Whitfield Firefighters and Dalton Shriners Team Up for Kids” boot drive that raised $30,574.64
The Whitfield County Fire Department and Dalton Shriners collected more than $30,000 for the second year in a row during the “Whitfield Firefighters and Dalton Shriners Team Up for Kids” boot drive.
Passing motorists dropped $30,574.64 worth of bills and coins into fire boots on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 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.
During the last three years, the two groups have joined forces to raise $84,871.79, including $22,972.89 in 2019 and $31,324.26 in 2020.
Seventy-five percent of the money collected will go toward treating young burn victims at Shriners’ hospitals, including one in Cincinnati supported by the Dalton Shriners.
The other 25 percent will go toward a program coordinated by the Whitfield County firefighters and other public safety agencies called “Santa in Uniform,” which will provide Christmas gifts for underprivileged children chosen by agencies in Whitfield County.
“On behalf of the Whitfield County Fire Department and the Dalton Shriners, we would like to give a big thank you to all the passing motorists who continue to make our annual boot drive a huge success, blessing so many children in making a difference in their lives.
This event has always been a team effort, and every passing motorist is part of that team. We are amazed at how our community supports us,” a spokesman for the organizations said.