The Gordon County Fire Department and the City of Calhoun Fire Department collected more than $25,000 for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation during its three-day “Give Burns the Boot fund raising campaign, held June 11, 12, and 13.

The two departments are among more than 100 fire departments throughout the State of Georgia that participated in the 20th Annual “Give Burns The Boot” fundraiser.

“The current amount collected so far is over $25,000 and we are continuing to try and raise additional funds until the end of the year through grants and other donations,” said chairman Adam Dortch, Boot Drive coordinator for the Gordon County Fire Department. In its first 19 years, this event has raised more than $9 million statewide for the foundation.

Funds collected through the boot drive will be used to help support the Georgia Fire-fighters Burn Foundation’s mission, “to educate the public in burn awareness and preven-tion, to support medical facilities in the care of burns in Georgia, and to assist burn survi-vors in their recovery.

Both Fire Departments would like to especially thank Wal-Mart, Kroger, Prime Outlets, Wilco Travel Plaza, and Food Lion for allowing them to set up in front of their businesses and collect money.

“We would also like to thank the Calhoun Times and WEBS Radio station for helping us advertise the event,” said Dortch. “Gordon County is one of the most generous when it comes to helping the Fire Departments raise money for worthy causes, we can’t thank you enough.”