Fire fighters keep the tradition going...

     Traditions, traditions, traditions.

                Tevye aside, we’re loaded with traditions.  And while the sparrows return to Capistrano, the buzzards to Hinckley and Chicago baseball hits the skids, the fire fighters of Buffalo Grove hit the streets.

                However, unlike Chicago’s Major League baseball teams, they’re successful.

                And it’s not a flash in the pan.

                For nearly two decades members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department have given up their time to raise money for the MDA – the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

                To no surprise, the tradition will continue when fire fighters will flock the Lake Cook / Arlington Heights road intersection on Friday to hold its “Fill the Boot for MDA” campaign.  They’ll be collecting from 7 a.m., to 7 p.m.

Look for Buffalo Grove Fire Fighters on Aug. 22 as they try to
"Fill the Boot" for the MDA

                This year’s effort has a twist as fire fighters will be on the street only one day and only at the one intersection.  Firefighter/paramedic Brian Steen, who is coordinating the effort, said fire fighters opted to concentrate on one intersection this year rather than have thinner numbers at two.  In the past, the event has been two days; one at Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads, the other at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads.  Steen said the selected Lake Cook / Arlington Heights because it’s a busier intersection, which hopefully will be a good collection point.

                Last year fire fighters raised nearly $20,000 for MDA even though the cut a second day short because of intense heat.

                Their efforts are not limited to collecting on the road.  Members of the Department will be looking to fil the boot during the concert by Parachute, which starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday. Fire fighters will also collect during the BG Day parade which starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31 (A complete schedule for Buffalo Grove Days can be found at www.bgdays.com.), and throughout BG Days where they’ll be in a tent.  Steen says not only residents have a chance to donate, but also to chat with members of the BG Fire Department.

                The goal?  Steen hopes to once again approach the $20,000 mark which has traditionally been the fruit of their efforts.

                It’s a good tradition to keep going

.

                Besides, it’s a lot more rewarding than watching Chicago baseball.

                

Still time to help Fill the Boot

Members and friends of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department helped the fight against MDA by walking the streets last Friday (Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads) as part of its annual Fill the Boot campaign.

They will be on the road tomorrow (Friday, Aug. 30) at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads.  If you are attending Buffalo Grove Days -- look for them there as well.

Be quick -- to help Fill the Boot

How quickly time flies by.

How quickly we get wrapped up in issues that we think impact only us.

How quickly we forget how fortunate we are if our kids are healthy and don’t suffer from any major medical issues.  Like Muscular Dystrophy.

Fortunately some folks take time to roll up their sleeves – or in this case take off their boots – to help.

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department will once again walk the streets on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30 as part of its annual Fill the Boot for MDA campaign.

According to Fire Chief Terrence M. Vavra, this year’s goal is $26,000.  It’s a two-day drive with fire fighters collecting at the intersection of Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads on Friday, Aug. 23 and at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads on Aug. 30.

MDA Fill the Boot Days are Aug. 23 and 30

It’s likely that there are some skeptics or cynics who are saying “yeah, great…my tax dollars are being spent so some fire fighter can get paid to play fund raiser.”

Not quite.

The fire fighters volunteer their time.  They do not volunteer during their scheduled shifts, but come in on their day off.  Cool.  How many residents would do – or even do – the same?  The MDA drive is just one of several charitable efforts done by the fire department.  In the past it has organized the presence of the pink fire trucks as part of a cancer awareness campaign.  It has also sold pink sweatshirts and T-shirt as part of the program.

But the MDA drive has the most visibility because when you see fire fighters, family members and other folks standing in a major intersection, flanked by a fire truck, you take notice.

I’ve been following this program for several years because I think we tend to overlook the work done by the police and fire departments.  They’re not perfect; nothing is – but at least they are giving back to the community.

I joined them last year, working both intersections (that doesn’t sound right…but you get the idea) and it is amazing to see the reactions of people when they’re approached with a boot.  Some try and hide, other grab the cell phone, but fortunately many roll down the window and donate.

Think about it.  The goal is $26,000 – which if you break it down comes out to .62 cents for each resident.

Sixty two cents.

That’s probably less than what some people tip their barista.

Maybe skipping the tip and filling the boot is a better idea.