13 Jan 2014 'Fill the Boot' helps families
by Sonja J. Keith
While donations to the annual “Fill the Boot” project in Faulkner County were down in 2013, the need which was even greater than last year was met again.
Off-duty firefighters throughout Faulkner County collected money in November and December to purchase gifts and clothing for needy children identified through local school counselors. In addition to toys, children were given clothes, personal hygiene items and a Bible.
This is the 16th year of the campaign, which has grown in size each year.
Conway Firefighters Local 4016 sponsors the project, which helped about 290 families representing about 1,400 children in 2013, according to organizer Billie Carter. Donations totaled nearly $41,000.
While Carter is certain that the Lord will ensure the need is met, he can’t help but stress at times because there are a lot of people who need help during the holidays. He said in recent years that collections have been impacted by stores opening earlier and earlier for Black Friday. “What scared me this year were the weather and the ice,” he said.
The economy has also started to have an impact on the campaign. “The last couple of years it has been catching up with us,” Carter said. “I hope we’re on the downhill side of that.”
Carter said that going into the last day of collections that firefighters knew a certain amount was needed to meet the need. “We raised just enough to take care of it.”
In addition to firefighters stationed in parking lots at local stores holding boots to collect donations, boots are placed in businesses throughout the county to accept donations. The business which collects the most money is presented with a custom-made trophy featuring a bronze boot. The business keeps the traveling trophy until the next year.
Eight Mile Store just east of Conway was the winner of this year’s contest, edging out three-peat winner Centennial Bank (Hogan Lane location) by about $14. The store collected $626.35. Owner Susan Dickson thanked the store’s customers for their generosity. “We’re very proud of our community,” she said.
Since it started in 1998, “Fill the Boot” has raised more than $430,000 and touched the lives of more than 13,000 children and their families.
