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Firefighters fill boots with $140k

Firefighter/paramedic John Mueller of the La Verne Fire Department was part of the five day "Fill the Boot" campaign that was designed to raise money for the families of New York firefighters that were killed on Sept. 11. / photo by Tom Galaraga
Firefighter/paramedic John Mueller of the La Verne Fire Department was part of the five day “Fill the Boot” campaign that was designed to raise money for the families of New York firefighters that were killed on Sept. 11. / photo by Tom Galaraga

by Tim Tevault
Arts & Entertainment Editor

In an effort to help the widows and orphans of firefighters who died trying to save victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, the La Verne Fire Department started a “Fill the Boot” fundraiser.

Donations, so far, have exceeded $140,000.

Department members stood on the corners and islands on Foothill Blvd. and D Street from Sept. 13-17. With help from their spouses and children, they held out boots and collected donations from drivers and pedestrians.

Fire Captain Mike Vetti said people really opened up to the idea of helping the fallen heroes in New York.

“It was an incredible thing to experience from our side,” he said.

People generously emptied everything from the change in their ashtrays to the cash in their wallets.

Children offered their allowances and piggy banks, Vetti said. Bus drivers even pulled over to allow the firefighters to walk through the bus and collect donations.

The effort slowed traffic but people did not mind, he said.

The fundraiser was organized by firefighter/paramedic Dave Bonnano. After getting quick approval from City Hall, Bonnano and the LVFD set a $10,000 goal. But their expectations were exceeded as they collected roughly $13,000 the first day.

When they saw how successful the fundraiser was-they made more than $60,000 that Saturday- they set a new goal: $100,000, which they surpassed a week ago.

“It’s not about the dollar amount, it’s about people coming together,” Vetti said. “I’m at a loss for words.”

All of the money will go to the New York Police and Fire Widow and Orphans Fund.

“We have plans to travel back to New York to present them the money directly,” said Fire Captain John Chappell.

The department will send representatives from the LVFD to present the organization with the money they have collected.

Vetti said there may not be a service for another few weeks because most of the firefighters are still sifting through the wreckage.

Although LVFD is finished collecting money of at the intersection, there are three separate sites that are still accepting donations: fire station one on Third Street., two, at 4785 Wheeler Ave., and City Hall.

Tim Tevault, Arts Editor
Tim Tevault
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Tom Galaraga, Assistant Managing Editor
Tom Galaraga
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