Commuters on their way home on April 18 may have noticed a buzz of activity off Pacheco Boulevard as local firefighters gathered together to fill a boot full of cash.
Though some out-of-towners may have been left somewhat confused, those in the know were happy to donate to the latest annual fundraising event that local firehouses band together every year for.
The “Fill the Boot” fundraiser, as it was unofficially dubbed, is a yearly endeavor that combines the forces of Los Banos and Dos Palos firefighters to raise funds for those who have suffered from burns and other fire-related injuries.
Each spring, local firefighters stand on Mercy Springs Road and Pacheco Boulevard armed with smiles and their donation boot to round up some funds to help those in need.
The event started at 7 a.m. and lasted until noon, and though it took up the first half of the work day, firefighters who weren’t on duty volunteered their free time to help.
Even fire Capt. J. P. Soares took the time to walk the median and collect some money. He saw firsthand the support that his community and men had given to the charity event.
“If they have time to come and help raise a couple bucks, the guys always come lend a hand,” Soares remarked, recalling the willingness of his station to lend some support on their day off. “With all the partnerships, love and support we have, we’re always willing to give back a little time.”
Each dollar that goes into the boot will be donated to the Burn Institute, a nonprofit founded by a team of Sacramento firefighters to prevent burn injuries and provide support to burn victims across the state.
Founded in 1973, the Burn Institute has been working with fire stations all over California ever since, and their ambitions go hand-in-hand with Central Valley firefighters’ more direct commitment to safety.
This year, the Los Banos and Dos Palos fire crews managed to rack up $9,600 in donations, which, though slightly less than last year’s earnings of just over $10,000, is still what Soares claimed to be “fantastic for our community because every little bit helps.”
Both civilians and firefighters show no signs of slowing this united help, as community and station involvement for the fundraiser has only been growing.
While just a decade ago the boot was amassing about $5,000 per event, each fundraiser in the 2020s has managed to bring in about double that amount on average.
The boot is as much an attention-grabber as it is a symbol for the real “boots-on-the-ground” form of community support that firefighters perform every day.
The Burn Institute couldn’t thrive without the support of local firefighters, but local firefighters would be just as debilitated without the community’s support.
With another boot full of cash donated to a good cause, firefighters are returning to their regular schedule of fighting fires. The Los Banos station is still grateful to the community for their donations and moral support.
“We really love supporting our community and giving back to a good cause,” Soares said. “I want to thank the community members and our fire departments for coming out. Without them, this event wouldn’t even be possible.”
