Paulding Citizens Set All-Time Record Donating to Georgia Burn Foundation

Three Day Boot Drive Collects Over $17,300 for Burn Survivors

Dallas, Georgia – May 24, 2017 – Each year during the month of May the Georgia Firefighter’s Burn Foundation (GFBF) facilitates a statewide fundraising effort known as “Give Burns the Boot.”
Paulding County Fire & Rescue is proud to announce that the citizens of Paulding County donated $17,334.82 during the 2017 fundraiser. In Paulding County, Give Burns the Boot was held on May 6th, 13th and 20th at all Kroger and Wal-Mart stores, Ingles on Dallas-Nebo Road, Dollar General in Yorkville, and Food Depot on Brownsville Road.
Over 100 departments across the State of Georgia participated in this year’s Boot Drive, which was in its 28th year. Every single penny dropped in the boots is counted and delivered to the Burn Foundation. The funds are used to support the burn care community with fire safety & prevention educational materials, to help medical facilities who treat burn patients, and to assist burn survivors during their recovery.
In addition to burn care & prevention programs, the GFBF runs a week-long summer camp for burn-injured children called Camp Oo-U-La. Children between 7-17 years old who sustained serious burn injuries are given a unique opportunity to grow in their physical & emotional recovery. Camp Oo-U-La is free to every child thanks to generous donations and contributions made during the Boot Drive each year.
According to Battalion Chief John Parker, who coordinates Paulding County’s Boot Drive annually, “It is awesome to see the generosity of our community. Once again in 2017 Paulding County citizens set an all-time record in donations. Thank you again to everyone who dropped money into the boots, and especially thanks to Kroger, Ingles, Food Depot, Dollar General, and Wal-Mart stores for hosting donation sites. Although we are a small community compared to some who participate in the Boot Drive, when all of the donations are counted Paulding County is always one of the top donors across Georgia. That speaks volumes about the generosity of our residents.”The GFBF was founded in 1982 by a group of Dekalb County Firefighters. Over the last 35 years the GFBF has grown to incorporate the entire state and expanded its work to include all Georgians. In 1990, the “Give Burns The Boot” campaign was started to support the GFBF’s efforts. Since that time, firefighters have continued their support by collecting more than 14.5 million dollars. GFBF is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) charity making donations eligible for tax deduction. For free fire safety and burn prevention information, contact the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation at 404-320-6223 or visit its web site at www.gfbf.org.