WHITFIELD FIREFIGHTERS THANK RESIDENTS FOR ‘BOOT’ DONATIONS

Tough economic times didn’t keep local residents from opening their purse strings last weekend during the Whitfield County Fire Department’s 22nd annual Give Burns the Boot drive.
Whitfield County firefighters collected $16,847 from motorists at five locations on Saturday, May 14 - up from $14,118 last year.
“We had a greater than expected collection,” said Lt. Chris West, who coordinated the drive. “We want to express how grateful we are to the citizens for their support due to the bad economy and all the devastation that has taken place in our area. The citizens came through in a big way.”
Fire Chief Carl Collins 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.
Last year 92 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.
In recognition of the hard work the firefighters do on behalf of the Burn Foundation, an incentive program has been instituted. Ten percent of each department’s total dollar amount raised is returned to the department for fire safety and burn education efforts.
“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 thanked John Bailey and his staff (Veronica, Ericka, and Crystal) from Georgia Federal Credit Union for helping count the change that was collected.
Funds were collected at five locations, including Cleveland Highway and North Bypass intersection, Cleveland Highway and Ga. Highway 2 intersection, Airport Road and Walnut Avenue intersection, Highway 41 and ...