MARIPOSA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS TAKING PART IN THE “FILL THE BOOT” CAMPAIGN LAST WEEKEND ARE PICTURED, FROM LEFT, DEVEN DEARING AND HARVE DEARING. Last weekend’s activities proved Mariposa County Fire Department (MCFD) is much more than just a fire department. Not only do its members respond to emergency calls for assistance, they fund raise for worthy causes, staff first aid centers for community events and train endlessly to sharpen skills—all without expecting compensation.

During what turned out to be one of the most beautiful weekends of the year, 20 members spent the entire weekend learning new emergency medical skills, ten current and future officers spent the weekend honing incident command skills, ten staffed the first aid center at the Civil War Reenactment and 22 members and their families raised funds for a cancer cure through support of Relay for Life.

Relay for Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one-day cancer will be eliminated. During the months beginning April through September 2010 in Calaveras, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties, more that 19 cities and towns will host a Relay for Life event to benefit the American Cancer Society. On May 15 and 16, Mariposa County’s event will be held at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.

Relay for Life offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams camp out and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Because cancer never sleeps, relays are overnight events, and each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times. Teams also have the opportunity to come up with fun and creative ways to raise money for the cause.

This year the Mariposa County Fire Department team decided to have a ‘Fill the Boot’ event. With the leadership of Relay team co-captains Marcella Good and Hallie Wass, members of Mariposa County Fire were seen at the intersection of Highways 49 and 140 and Pioneer Market collecting donations to “fill the boot.” Thanks to the community they collected just over $2,500.

Not only were people supportive of “fill the boot” by donating anywhere from a penny to writing a check, firefighters also received many thanks, thumbs up, horn honking and personal stories from those having been touched by cancer.