Last weekend had all Paris City firefighters out on streets, boot in hand as they ‘Filled the Boot,’ for this years the Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising event.
It had been a few years since the last time local firefighters took part in the fundraising program, but even with high temperatures last Thursday, Friday and Saturday it didn’t slow them down as they raised in the vicinity of $18,000.
“It’s been about 10 years. We actually use to do it [Fill the Boot] in a few of the stores around here-but, unfortunately, things changed and we weren’t able to do that anymore. So we looked for another way that would allow us to get out into the community and raise as much money as we could,” Paris Fire Departments Cpt. James Dority said, “there is the Sean Mckennis Act that allows us to get in the streets to help out the community like this.”
Dority said although it did get a little more than warm as he and his colleagues collected donations, it was no doubt a fun few days getting out amongst the community and meeting new faces.
“A lot of times, we see people at their worst possible moment. Whether it be an accident or a fire, or a medical call for help, so we all really enjoy getting out to meet people while being able to help organizations like MDA,” Dority added.
From dancing firefighters to those waving as motorist passed by to even handing out stickers, he said they all noticed the bevy of local kids that also enjoyed being apart of the fundraising effort themselves.
“Many, many children got in on the donations! They got the opportunity to put the money in the boots,” he said.
Adding, “we also got a couple of donations of $50 and $100 bills on each day! We are blessed to have people with huge hearts that can give like that and every cent helps.”
From a local lady dropping off a case of water to the boys to Jerrika Holbert handing out some popsicles to her husband’s workmates; the boys in red said they had just as much fun as those that donated.
Now looking towards next year, as the department aims to bring back the annual ‘Fill the Boot’ fundraiser, Dority said there are no plans to change anything other than working on setting up some better signage.
“All of us at the City of Paris Fire Department greatly appreciates the fine citizens we have here in Paris and Lamar County. They are the ones that make these events such great events, as we look to help our community in as many ways as we can,” Dority said.
