VFD Firefighters ‘Give Burns the Boot’ Drives Goes Virtual

The Valdosta Fire Department will kick off the annual "Give Burns the Boot" drive on Thursday, July 30, joining more than 100 other fire departments throughout the state of Georgia in raising money to benefit the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. Due to COVID-19, The Valdosta Fire Department will be Giving Burns the Boot virtually. This event, which relies on donations from citizens, will run through December 2020.

The Valdosta Fire Department also has a Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation trailer in the parking lot of Mathis Auditorium located off of Woodrow Wilson Drive for anyone who would like to donate aluminum cans during the Boot Drive.

While you don’t see us out in the community collecting this year, we ask that you please give generously to help “Give Burns The Boot®”. Donations can be made through the Valdosta Fire Department team page, https://fundraise.gfbf.org/team/295909. The process is fast, easy and secure.

The money raised through the Give Burns the Boot Drive and the recycled aluminum cans will help support Camp Oo-U-La, Georgia's only camp held exclusively for burn-injured children. The camp, paid for entirely by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation, allows burn victims to enjoy one week of camp a year to have fun with other children who have experienced the same trauma.

By supporting the Boot Drive, the public will also be supporting their local fire department and community. Money raised will remain in Valdosta for local education and prevention efforts, as well as serve communities across the State where there are needs. Also, 20 percent of all the funds collected will remain in Valdosta for Fire and Life Safety programs.

The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation is a non-profit organization with a threefold mission: to educate the public in burn awareness and prevention, to support medical facilities in the care of burns in Georgia, and to assist burn survivors in their recovery.

For more information about the "Give Burns the Boot" drive or local fire safety education programs, contact the Valdosta Fire Department at 229-333-1836.