In an effort to raise funds for burn survivors, hundreds of firefighters from across the state will be out seeking to fill boots with donations at the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane this weekend during the 21st annual “Fill the Boot for Burns” fundraiser in Citrus Heights.
Reporting donations totaling over $100,000 last year, the local four-day fundraiser is one of several dozen “boot drives” across the state that together raised over half-a-million dollars last year for the Firefighters Burn Institute — a Sacramento-based nonprofit which helps provide treatment and recovery programs for burn survivors, as well as host burn-related training and kids camps.
Weather permitting, the weekend fundraiser will also have a safety fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, featuring a “Jaws of Life” car-cutting demonstration by Metro Fire, a live helicopter landing, fire truck and ambulance displays, clowns, face painting, vendor booths and more, according to an event flier.
The Citrus Heights Police Department will also be supporting the firefighters’ effort, according to CHPD Sergeant Mike Wells, who said officers will have a patrol vehicle and one of their new three-wheeled Trikkes on display during the safety fair — along with “a K-9 officer and his partner (dog) on site for the community to meet.”
Tyler Craft, a firefighter-paramedic with Metro Fire Station 21 in Citrus Heights, said he’ll be one of two firemen helping “raise” attention to the fundraiser by serving as a “basket-sitter” atop an extended ladder truck at the intersection for “72 straight hours.” He called the endurance test “nothing close” to the grueling pain burn patients endure.
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Craft said all “boot” funds collected will go directly to the burn institute, which was founded by firefighters in 1973 after a Sacramento plane crash killed 22 people and burned many others. The Institute has continued in its mission to support research and benefit burn survivors through the years, notably giving $2 million toward the new UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center, named in recognition of the Institute’s contributions.
“The Firefighters Burn Institute here in Sacramento has seriously put Sacramento on the map for burn care,” said Craft, commenting that burn survivors fly in from all over northern California for care. “It truly is a premier burn center.”
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“Fill the Boot for Burns” charity event
When: Thurs. – Sun., Feb. 12-15, 2015
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane, intersection
Safety Fair:
When: Saturday Feb. 14
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Sunrise Mall parking lot (Sunrise/Greenback)
Safety Fair Flier: Safety-Flyer-2015.pdf
