SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — The Summerside Fire Department is gearing up for an annual fundraising event.
However, the 2020 version is being held in the fall instead of the spring
The department will continue the tradition of firefighters holding the Muscular Dystrophy Boot Drive at the Atlantic Superstore in Summerside on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Normally, the event is held on the Easter weekend.
“Fire departments have been raising money for muscular dystrophy since 1954,” said Wally MacAusland, a safety officer with the Summerside Fire Department and an organizer of this weekend’s events.
To coincide with the boot drive, six members of the Summerside Fire Department will also do four-hour shifts for a 24-hour ladder sit in the Superstore parking lot. This will take place from 4 p.m., Friday, until 4 p.m., Saturday.
Summerside fire chief Ron Enman said the department welcomes the opportunity to give back by participating in events like this.
“Muscular dystrophy is a fantastic organization,” said Enman. “We are pretty limited in what we can do this year because of COVID-19.
“This is one way we can get out in the community.”
The boot drive and ladder sit, noted Enman, coincides with Fire Prevention Week 2020, which is Oct. 4-10.
Different look
MacAusland said, because of COVID-19, the boot drive will have a different look and feel than in previous years. Due to safety concerns, he noted, firefighters will not be canvassing at the main entrances to the city, and there will be no passing out of safety stickers to children like in previous years.
A boot will be set up in the parking lot to accept donations.
MacAusland, who added all of the money raised this weekend will stay on P.E.I., said the boot drive normally raises in the neighbourhood of $4,500. He said the goal is to at least match that total.
“With it being Thanksgiving and one of the busiest weekends coming up, we thought it would be a good time to do it.”
