Lemon Grove's Firefighters Hit the Streets to 'Give Burns the Boot'

Firefighters from the Lemon Grove Fire Department were among the 39 departments throughout the county to take part in the 12th Annual Firefighter Boot Drive, an annual fundraising event that benefits the Burn Institute's fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support programs, such as Camp Beyond The Scars, for children ages 5 to 17 with serious burn injuries.

Hundreds of firefighters hit the streets in 95 locations across San Diego County. In Lemon Grove, they were taking donations at three locations: Massachusetts Avenue and Broadway, Lemon Grove Avenue and Broadway, and Lemon Grove Avenue and Central Avenue, just down the street from the station.

This year's goal was to raise $230,000, according to Diane Sparacino, director of communications for the Burn Institute. Last year's drive raised $210,000.

The total will be announced April 22 at Firefighter Night at the Padres, at Petco Park.

The campaign is sponsored by the San Diego-Imperial County Fire Fighters Advisory Council to the Burn Institute and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association. All of the money raised stays in the county, according to the institute.

“The Boot Drive has become one of the Institute’s most successful events,” James Floros, Burn Institute Executive Director/CEO, said in a press release. “That success is directly attributed to the enthusiastic support of local firefighters. The fire service really is the backbone of this organization. As a team we can do great things for the community.”