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Boot Drive to begin Thursday

By MICHAEL J. THOMPSON
mthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

When you see Fayetteville firefighters holding boots in their hands outside local retail stores tomorrow, don’t be alarmed. From June 23-25, they will be taking part in the third annual “Boot Drive” to help raise money for the Red Cross Southern District Office, the Georgia Burn Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Firefighters will stationed throughout Fayetteville at Lowe’s, Kroger, Wal-Mart and movie theaters and they will collect donations in their boots.

Eighty Fayette County firefighters will be out collecting donations, and they do on their own time, said Lt. Bill Rieck.

“The firefighters volunteer to do this, to help give back to community,” he said.

Proceeds that goto the MDA will help fund research on neuromuscular diseases, provide assistance with medical equipment for families and help support the local MDA’s Summer Camp Walk-N-Roll in Rutledge, Ga.

Joanna Constanzo, 14, will be a freshmen this year at Starr’s Mill High School. She was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when she was 10, and has received guidance and aid from MDA. Most importantly, she has gained self-confidence while battling the disease through the camp MDA offers.

“I went to the camp last year and had so much fun,” she said.

Seeing other kids my age who are going through the same thing and hearing their stories helps boost my confidence.

Through MDA, Joanna’s mother Stephanie was able to procure a wheelchair for her daughter.

“Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to get her a wheelchair,” she said. “We’re just so blessed to have so many caring people in this county.”

The Red Cross in Fayette County has helped families when disaster strikes them. From 2003 through the first portion of 2005, volunteers for the Red Cross responded to 25 disasters and provided help to 105 Fayette County residents.

The Village Amphitheater will host a free family film night Friday, starting 8 p.m. The film will be “Shrek 2” and firefighters will be on hand for the event.