The annual San Diego Burn Institute “Fill the Boot” fund drive will take place throughout the County on Thursday, June 17 from 6 to 9:30 a.m. Escondido Firefighters will be volunteering their time collecting donations at the intersections of Broadway and Highway 78 and at Via Rancho Parkway and I-15. Escondido residents have always been very generous during this drive. Last year, despite the pandemic, Escondido firefighter’s boots overflowed with more than $9,600! This year, in addition to contributing cash in person, donations can also be made anytime using a QR code that opens the Burn Institute’s donation website.
No matter how contributions are received, they are put to good use. The Burn Institute’s 21st Annual Firefighter Boot Drive is the organization’s largest one-day fundraiser and all of the funds will stay in San Diego County. Proceeds benefit the Burn Institute’s fire and burn prevention education programs and burn survivor support services such as Camp Beyond the Scars for burn-injured children. This unique camp program has provided a safe place for hundreds of young burn survivors to share their experiences in a supportive and nurturing camp environment.
Last year, three children in Escondido attended the camp and benefited from the program.
The Burn Institute provides other valuable programs to the community such as:
• Youth Firesetter Intervention Program – Uses evidence-based risk assessment tools and education to intervene in dangerous fire setting behavior and stop it at the source. This program is available in English and Spanish and is free of charge to residents in San Diego County. Each year, 1 to 2 children in Escondido are referred to this effective program.
• Fire Safe Kids – An education program for elementary school age children that is delivered at schools in partnership with local Fire Prevention officers. Over 2,700 children have been impacted by this program in Escondido over the past three years.
• Fire Safe Senior – Program that provides free smoke alarms to homeowners 62 and over.
Through this program, 85 smoke alarms have been installed in senior citizen’s homes in Escondido over the past three years.
If you see firefighters collecting donations on June 17, know that contributions to the Burn Institute make a huge impact in our community! Also remember, donations can be made anytime using the QR code or by visiting https://burninstitute.org/donate.
