Updated Feb. 5, 1:29 p.m.
Sentinel staff report– Beginning Thursday and continuing through Sunday, firefighters are again hitting the streets and filling their boots with donations at Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane for the annual “Fill the Boot for Burns” fundraiser in Citrus Heights.
The 2020 fundraiser will be held from Feb. 6-9, with a free safety fair on Saturday, Feb. 8, in the Sunrise Mall parking lot from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Metro Fire Capt. Christopher Vestal said the event will include an auto-extrication demo by fire personnel.
Those travelling through the area of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane this weekend are asked to use caution, as firefighters will be walking in and out of traffic to accept donations from motorists during the boot drive.
Reporting over $170,000 received in donations during last year’s fundraiser, the local four-day “boot drive” is one of several-dozen similar events held across the state that together raised over $500,000 last year for the Sacramento-based Firefighters Burn Institute.
Donations help fund recovery programs for burn survivors, including a Firefighters Kids Camp for young burn survivors and a Little Heroes Preschool Burn Camp, according to the Institute’s website.
The burn institute was founded by firefighters in 1973 after a Sacramento plane crash killed 22 people and burned many others. The organization also gave $2 million toward the new UC Davis Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center, which was named in recognition of the Institute’s contributions.
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2020 event information:
When: Thurs. – Sun., Feb. 6-9
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane, intersection
Safety Fair:
When: Saturday, Feb. 8
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Sunrise Mall parking lot (Sunrise/Greenback)
