Firefighters raise money for Make-A-Wish
DECATUR — With boots in hand, members of the Decatur Fire Department were out in force June 3 raising money for a very worthy charity and one that is close to their hearts.
At noon, Decatur firemen stationed themselves on the four corners of Main Street and Roller Avenue (at the four-way stop light) for the department’s 2017 Boot Drive fundraising project for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
This year’s project held special meaning for Decatur firefighters, especially Eric Anderson. Anderson’s youngest son, Remington, developed a rare form of brain cancer in 2016. The youngest Anderson, now 3, always wanted to meet Mickey Mouse in person. Make-A-Wish foundation made that happen by sending him to Disney World.
With the help of the Decatur Fire Department and Mary Mae Jones Elementary School in Bentonville, Remington and his entire family of seven departed Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport April 20 for a six-day, five-night stay at the popular Orlando, Fla., resort, making Remington’s wish come true.
So it was only fitting that the Decatur firefighters gave back to the organization that helped one
of their family members fulfill a dream.
Two firefighters, armed with firemen’s boots, were stationed at the intersection collecting donations from motorists as they stopped at the four-way light. Jeremy Luker, Decatur fire chief, spearheaded the drive, with the assistance of Joey Gunter, Judd Cox, Michael Philpott, Derek Knight, Brian Cox, Eric Anderson and Brent Hopkins. Eric Anderson’s older son Colton and Derek Knight’s son Peyton, dressed in children’s fire suits, aided the drive by running water to the firefighters and collecting donations from passersby along the east sidewalk on Main Street.
Most motorists donated their loose pocket change or $1 and $5 dollar bills. However, one generous motorist showed his support for the cause by dropping a $100 bill into one of the boots.
When the money was counted, the Decatur Fire Department Boot Drive netted the Make-A-Wish Foundation a total of $1,749.18.
Luker and his team from the Decatur Fire Department expressed their sincere gratitude to the many generous donors who rolled down their windows to give to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. These donations will help fulfill another child’s wish, like Remington’s, come true.