When former City of Kinston Fire Captain David Ricke made predictions for the annual Fill the Boot campaign during Labor Day Weekend, he surmised firefighters would raise between $1,500 to $3,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Boy, was he wrong.
Firefighters with the Kinston Department of Public Safety far surpassed Ricke’s projections, raising $5,330 for the MDA between Aug. 29 and Sept. 2. They collected donations at the Walmart Plaza on Hill Farm Road and Fit 4 Life at the Herritage Plaza on N. Herritage Street.
“I was absolutely stunned,” Ricke said. “I’m just thankful for the guys and the public reception. It was the first time we’ve done it this way and it truly worked. The public was really helpful; they came forward and donated at both places. The guys put in four hours each day at two locations. Even though it was hot outside, they persevered.”
Last year, the firefighters raised $800 in a one-day effort.
“Usually, we just collected at the doors of the mall or the gates when the Kinston Indians play, but it worked better to collect at entrances and exits of the shopping plazas,” Ricke said. “It was more convenient for people to come by and donate.”
Coastal Carolina MDA Fundraising coordinator Elizabeth Welborn felt the positive vibes among the firefighters helped out in a major way.
“A lot had to do with the morale and everyone being on board,” Welborn said. “Everyone was excited and motivated. I went to visit them and they were all on the same page. All of the shifts were in a bit of a competition with each other to see who could raise the most.”
Coastal Carolina MDA Executive Director Christine Bender had nothing but high praise for the firefighters involved in the endeavor.
“What a difference a year makes,” Bender said. “Kudos to David Ricke and the Kinston Fire Department for their success with this boot drive.”
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
