Firefighters take the heat for charity
Martinez Fire Department Lt. Todd Caron and firefighter Paul Casey braved last Sunday's humid weather outside a local grocery store to raise funds for children with neuromuscular diseases.
Visitors to the Bi-Lo on Furys Ferry Road filled the firefighters' boots with donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as part of the Fill-the-Boot campaign, which has been the International Association of Fire Fighters' method of contribution for nearly 50 years.
Caron and Casey could have enjoyed a lazy Sunday, but neither minded their 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. collection shift.
"It is all for a good cause," Caron said.
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With firefighters at local businesses all weekend, the Martinez Fire Department raised $17,000 - more than it has in the past two years of the local drive, said Chief Paul Cooper, who said the department has been collecting money for MDA in each of his more than 30 years with the department.
Martinez firefighters Vinny Vizzari (left) and Capt. Mike Chambers collect a donation from Jennifer Parr in front of the Evans Wal-Mart.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"We try," he said.
The department sent out 23 trucks Aug. 29-31, with a minimum of two firefighters per truck, Cooper said.
In 2001, the department raised $11,064 and raised $14,575 last year.
The Jerry Lewis Telethon, held over Labor Day weekend, raised $60.5 million nationwide with the firefighters' association being its leading contributor, with a record $18.3 million.