FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tyler Wolf

PHONE: 760-224-1498

Escondido, CA – The annual San Diego Burn Institute “Fill the Boot” fund drive will take place throughout San Diego County on Thursday, March 10, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Escondido firefighters will volunteer collecting donations at the intersections at Broadway & Hwy 78 and at Via Rancho Parkway & I-15.

The Escondido Fire Fighters Association has participated in the “Fill the Boot” fund drive for the Burn Institute for many years. Fire Fighter Paramedic Tyler Wolf said, “Escondido residents have always been very generous during this fund drive. Last year, Escondido firefighters’ boots overflowed with more than $10,240! We are happy to volunteer our time to help raise funds for the Burn Institute because they support so many important programs in our community.”

In addition to contributing cash in person, donations can also be made anytime using a smart phone to scan a QR code that opens the Burn Institute’s donation webpage.

Escondido Fire Chief Rick Vogt said, “No matter how contributions are given, the Burn Institute puts them to good use. The Burn Institute’s 22nd Annual Firefighter Boot Drive is the organization’s largest one-day fundraiser and all of the funds raised through the Boot Drive will stay locally here 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.” Chief Vogt added, “In fact, several children in Escondido attended the camp last year and benefited from the program supported by donations to the Burn Institute”.

The Burn Institute provides other valuable programs to the community such as:

• Youth Firesetter Intervention Program which 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 education program for elementary school age children that is delivered at schools in partnership with local Fire Prevention officers. Thousands of children have been impacted by this program in Escondido.
• Fire Safe Senior program that provides free smoke alarms to homeowners 62 and over. Nearly 100 smoke alarms have been installed in senior citizen’s homes in Escondido over the past three years through this program.

If you see firefighters collecting donations on your commute on March 10 throughout the county, know that contributions to the Burn Institute make a huge impact in our community! And remember, donations can be made anytime by visiting burninstitute.org/donate