The boots have been filled.
Burnaby firefighters were out this weekend collecting donations for Muscular Dystrophy Canada during the annual Fill the Boot campaign.
Firefighters were stationed at different locations throughout the city Friday night and Saturday, including Brentwood Town Centre, Metrotown, Costco at Still Creek Drive and the Grand Villa Casino.
“We were at the casino this year, just for Friday night, and the feedback from the guys that were there was really good,” said Derek Cousins, a seven-year vet with the department and one of the event's organizers.
After a rainy, miserable night on Friday, the firefighters were glad the sun came out on Saturday, Cousins said.
“It was definitely a good weekend. All the guys had fun,” he said. “Any opportunity, I think, that we get to be in the public like that is just good.”
And as always, the support from the community was remarkable, according to Cousins.
“Everywhere you go, people come up (to you) or go out of their way to make comments and thank us for what we do,” he added.
As for the donation total, it’ll be several days still before firefighters have a final number. On Sunday, volunteers spent the day sorting all the change and on Tuesday the money will be taken to Grand Villa where it is counted.
Last year, the department raised $45,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, earning the award for the top single boot drive in B.C.
This is the Burnaby Fire Department’s main fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Organizers of the Fill the Boot campaign are hoping to put together some other events in the new year, Cousins said.
