Fill the boot for our volunteer firemen. The Colquitt-Miller Fire- EMS Personnel need your support during the 21st annual “Give Burns the Boot” drive, July 2, July 9 and July 10. They are asking that citizens donate as much as possible, no matter how big or small the donation. Proceeds help the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation fulfill its mission to educate the public in burn awareness and prevention, support medical facilities in the care of burns in Georgia, and assist burn survivors in their recovery.

The foundation fulfills the mission through several different programs including the Chesney Fallen Firefighters Memorial Grant Program, named in memory of the Gwinnett County firefighter who died in the line of duty. The program provides funding to fire departments’ fire safety/burn prevention programs. In the last seven years, the Foundation has awarded more than $154,000 to departments across the state.

The Foundation also works closely with both the Burn Center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta. Each center receives grant funding each year. The funding helps these facilities acquire equipment and send personnel to conferences on burn care treatment and rehabilitation.

Money raised by Colquitt- Miller Fire-EMS also goes to Camp Oo-U-La, Georgia’s only camp held exclusively for burn-injured children. Last year, the camp celebrated its 17th anniversary and welcomed over 80 campers. The campers experience an entire week where they get to feel like kids again, regardless of their physical features. The cost for both the campers and volunteers is covered entirely by the Foundation.

To help keep the fire fatality and burn injury rate down, the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and Colquitt-Miller Fire- EMS need your help.

April Bryant is chairing this fund-raising project for Colquitt-Miller Fire-EMS. “Please give generously when a firefighter asks for your support,” Bryant urges.

Fire-EMS Personnel will be on hand to receive contributions at the following locations: July 2 at Spring Creek Park and July 9 and 10 on the square at the intersection of First and Main Streets. Also, on the ninth and 10th, contributions will be collected at the grocery stores. In addition to these locations, there will also be boots at several local businesses.

Save your loose change and help us prevent burn injuries and deaths. Thank you, in advance, for your support!