The Finley Point/Yellow Bay Volunteer Firefighters temporarily repurposed some of their firefighter boots this past Saturday to collect cash donations to support the department. This annual “Fill the Boot” drive and open house has been an annual event in Finley point for more than 16 years. Although many drivers chose to just “pitch in” to the boots as they drove past the department, Chief Brent Burland from the department estimated that at least 200 people stopped in take a look at the equipment and talk with the firefighters during the Open house. The ‘free lunch’ of burgers, chicken burgers, and hot dogs may also have been an incentive for some to stop in. Those who did stop also could buy goodies at the bake sale or find treasures at the yard sale put on by the Montecahta club which coordinated its fundraiser to coincide with the Fill the Boot drive.

Burland said that much of the money raised in the drive is used to provide the firefighters with water, gator-aid, snacks, and meals when they are out on runs or participating in training. Although he did not specify a dollar amount, he was excited that this year’s event set a new record and he expressed the department’s appreciation to the public for its support. The Chief also noted that the Finley Point/Yellow Bay Volunteer department is currently seeking additional volunteers who live in the fire district which runs between mile markers 4.5 and 18 on Hwy 35.