Firefighters offer a ‘cyber boot drive’
The 87th annual fund drive Oct. 9 adjusts for social distancing
The Taos Volunteer Fire Department will hold its yearly fund drive Friday (Oct. 9) at Fire Station 1, located at 323 Camino de la Placita, and at various spots around the plaza. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year will be different than years past.
While the fire station will be open, there will be more steps taken to make the fund drive a socially distanced event. The fire department said there will be protocols in place that will follow the state guidelines regarding social distancing and mandatory masks.
Fund Drive Captain Greg Hopkins said the department takes the health and safety of residents extremely seriously, and will be offering an online donation option this year for those who can’t make it on Friday, or don’t feel like being in public.
Firefighters will be located around Station 1 and the Taos Plaza area near socially distanced drop boxes. “The familiar bright red buckets with the firefighter’s boot attached – we will still be out there but,” said Hopkins, “but our presence will be limited.” Hopkins said that they are doing what they can to make this year’s drive feel like years past, but also said that they accept the reality of the situation, and are looking for additional ways to help the community in these times.
Community involvement is really what it’s all about, Hopkins added. “We are unbelievably grateful for the generosity that gives us the ability to keep helping the community,” he said. Hopkins also pointed out that they are also proud that the “community worked really well to keep our [COVID-19] numbers down.” The fire department suggested that the best way to give from a distance is to visit its website taosfire.org, and donate through what it is calling its “Cyber Boot Drive.”
All donations go to help the Taos Volunteer Fire Department upgrade vehicles, purchase uniforms and provide other necessary equipment for the job. Thanks to previous years’ donations, Hopkins said that they are able to offer “the highest level of professional service and support in the wide array of emergencies that we respond to every day.
“If we can just save one or two people’s homes by providing advice, that helps,” Hopkins said. With the community’s continued support, the Taos Volunteer Fire Department is eager to carry on the long history of service to Taos and the surrounding area, as the firefighters “learn to adapt and expand the way we serve you, your family and friends.”
If you have any questions, contact the fire department by phone at (575) 758-3386 or go to its website to donate: taosfire.org or taosfire.com.