After Firefighter is Hit, S.C. Chief Says No to Boot Drive
Source Firehouse.com News
Old Fort firefighters will no longer stand along roadways to collect money for charity after a firefighter was struck this week.
The firefighter was standing in the median Tuesday doing a boot drive for the Carolina Children's Charities when he was struck by pickup truck. He was knocked down and taken to the hospital for his injuries.
"Summerville is not the sleepy pine town we used to have," Old Fort Capt. Allen Purifoy told WCIV-TV. "We don't have one red light anymore, we have a bunch more. We don't have two-lane roads; we have four-lane highways."
"We've done this for 28 years. We've had some close calls, but never to the extent we got to yesterday," Purifoy added.
Fire Chief Edward Genthert told the charity's board that 30-year tradition of the boot drive had to stop.
They will examine other ideas to help raise money for local kids. The boot drive collected $25,000 annually.
"If it can be done, we're going to figure out a way to do it," Assistant Fire Chief David Moore said.
The firefighter is still recovering from his injuries and is expected to return to duty next week.
