18 Nov 2010 Paying it forward with ‘Fill the Boot’

“Being a firefighter is a noble calling. While any firefighter’s proudest moment is saving lives, that same spirit also seems to call upon us to continue to touch other lives in a very positive way,” said Billie Carter, chairman of the Fill the Boot committee. “We believe in living our lives by paying it forward.”

Conway firefighter Mark McIntire organized the first boot collection in 1998. That year, $1,732 was raised at one collection point at the Central Fire Station. Firefighters were able to help 32 families, providing them with food baskets and toys.

When McIntire left the fire department, Carter volunteered to organize the campaign. “This is my 10th year to be in charge,” he said. “I just love doing it.” Carter enjoys the project so much it has become a tradition for his family to be involved. “Hats off to my wife, Salina,” he said. “It’s a family affair for the Carter household.”

Conway Firefighters Local 4016 organizes the annual campaign, which has raised more than $254,000 and touched the lives of more than 8,000 children. “It is all possible because of the loyal citizens of Faulkner County,” Carter said.

The fundraising effort has evolved and changed over the years, adding collection locations and now involving volunteer fire departments throughout Faulkner County. In addition to collecting on the Friday and three Saturdays after Thanksgiving at local stores, boots are set up in businesses for customers to donate. This year, a “Fill the Boot” traveling trophy will be awarded to the location that collects the most.

Once all money collected is counted, organizers take the names of children in need that are provided by local schools and go shopping. “Clothes, shoes and toys are bought for each child along with a large food box for the whole family,” Carter said.

Families in need are asked to contact Community Action Program of Central Arkansas at 707 Robins St. to complete an application. (Please do not contact the fire department.) There is a screening process to ensure that those in need are being helped and assistance is not duplicated.

Organizers would like to see the Fill the Boot campaign expanded beyond Faulkner County and throughout the 501. “We know the need is great everywhere,” Carter said.

Some of the highlights from the history of the campaign:

• Christmas 2004 brought change with the addition of the Friday after Thanksgiving as a day to collect. “The biggest change was that we took a chance and decided to expand countywide, helping kids from all seven county elementary schools along with the eight Conway elementary schools,” Carter said. “With the Lord’s blessing and continued prayers and faith, we reached goals that many thought were unattainable. Fill the Boot raised $30,000 helping children from all over Faulkner County.”

• Christmas 2009 was a special year for Fill the Boot, with the Vilonia Fire Department stepping up to collect in that city. “With that added help and collection spot, $46,000 was raised and we were able to help well over 1,000 children.”
Carter pointed out that a few extra items have been added to the family food baskets. “We are placing dental care products donated by area dental offices in the baskets for each child. A special gift for each child, an interactive Nativity or a personalized Bible, will also be placed in the food box.

“Our goal is to be able to share the meaning of Christmas with as many as possible.”
For Carter, it is the personal satisfaction in knowing that people in need are being taken care that motivates him. “Getting to see the faces of the little kids, it’s hard to describe,” he said.”We’re firefighters because we love helping people and this just spills over.”
Carter has several special memories from volunteering with the campaign. He recalls one year when he and other firefighters delivered gifts to grandparents helping to care for toddlers. “As we left, the grandpa followed us out and started to cry. He said he had been praying for help, just $5 so he would have something to put under the tree. He said, ‘You’re the answer to a prayer.’ That’s what Fill the Boot is about. When people are in need and the community gives, it happens like that for a thousand kids at Christmas.”