Fire Department collecting cans for burn victims

CENTERVILLE — The Centerville Fire Department is on a mission to collect aluminum cans in an effort to raise money for the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation.

“We’re just trying to get the information out there because a lot of folks don’t know about it,” said Centerville Fire Chief Jason Jones. “Normally a lot of people take them to the recycling center, but if they bring them here, we’ll bring them to the recycling center and raise money for a good cause.”

The Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, located in Augusta, uses the money fir burn patients’ families at the Chavis House, as well as patients with their transition home services such as anti-scarring garments, medications and transportation, according to a press release.

Jones said there’s a can station outside the fire station located at 101 Miller Court, Centerville. The can station is accessible 24 hours a day.

“We collect the cans and take them to the recycling center twice a year,” Jones said. “Normally we get around $450 to $500 for a full trailer, and we save that money and then once a year donate it to the burn

center.”

The can drive has been ongoing for more than 20 years, the fire chief said, and since 2006, the station has donated almost $18,000 in 10 years.

“That’s mainly from cans,” Jones said. “We also do some boot drives in October, and we add that into the money from the can drive.”

October is Fire Safety and Prevention Month, so firefighters will have at least three boot drives, usually each Friday dependent on weather, Jones said.

“Each shift does it once. It’s usually around 4 or 4:30 in the afternoon, and they usually stand out there for about an hour,” he said. “They do it at the intersection of Gunn Road and Margie Drive, and all the money from that goes to the burn foundation as well.”

While the firefighters used to be a boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, boot drives have instead donated to the burn foundation for the last four to five years. People can also donate directly to the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, and the fire department is happy to give information to donate directly, or money can be dropped off at the fire

station.

This year, the Centerville Fire Department will also be at the Georgia National Fair with a fire safety house. Jones said the state called and asked Centerville to participate because it would not be able to attend. After confirming with the Perry Fire Department that it does not have a fire safety house, the Centerville Fire Department agreed.

“We just wanted to contact Perry to make sure we’re not stepping on anybody’s toes,” Jones said. “They don’t have a fire safety house, so we’ll be out there (at the Georgia National Fair) again.”

The Centerville Fire Department will be at the fair from Oct. 5-15.

Firefighters will also hold their annual safety event at Galleria Mall the weekend of Oct. 20-22. They will promote fire safety to individuals who stop by. Fire department personnel will also make an appearance at the Centerville Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 28, at Center Park. There will be a fireworks display that evening.

HHJ News