Every year we are able to fill a need in our local community by providing coats for kids.  Last year we were able to give (number) children a warm jacket for the winter.

IAFF Local 452 is constantly involved in the community which we serve.  Over our 80+ years of existance we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations on both a local and national level.  We have donated tens of thousands of person hours to community events, education, safety and beautification.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Well… it was a tough year for volunteers.  The number of firefighters was down this year, and as a result, so was the amount collected for the MDA.  On Thursday, we shut down a few hours early due to a lack of help, which was a first for me as the coordinator.

Ladies and Gentlemen, What an incredible effort!  Thank you to all of the men and women from Local 452 and the Vancouver Fire Department, as well as Local 1805 and Clark County Fire District 6 who gave up their free time to help out with this worthwhile cause.  Together with our volunteer friends at Chuck’s Produce, and the Vancouver Firewives, we raised $37,188.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to announce that the good people of Hazel Dell and Clark County donated $27,792.31 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association this year through our Fill the Boot event.  I want to thank all of those who were able to come out to the event and donate their time off-shift for this wonderful cause.

Ladies and Gentlemen,   The results are in!  The official count by our friends at Umpqua Bank this morning was $27,032.   Thank you to all that were able to lend a helping hand and raise such an amazing sum of money for such a worthy cause.  That’s $57,000 over the last 2 years!   Way to go VFD, until next year.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very excited to share with you that we are done with our 2014 Fill the Boot event, and as a result of everyone's hard work and selflessness, you were able to raise somewhere North of $30,000 for the MDA.