City Times Staff

The Stevens Point Fire Dept. has cancelled a planned fundraiser on Thursday due to weather.

The fundraiser, the department’s annual “Fill the Boot” campaign — which raises funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association — is typically held at the intersection of Main and Division streets, where firefighters take cash donations to help fill a firefighter’s boot.

But the department’s plans were rained out.

“We want to be safe, and with the weather we didn’t want to take any chances,” said firefighter Tom Wastart. “But we’re still going to try for tomorrow.”

During last year’s fundraising event, the group raised $15,363 — well over their goal — for the MDA in just two days of greeting drivers during red lights at the intersection.

This year’s goal is $16,000, and Wastart thinks they could beat it again. Donations are “absolutely” welcome directly at Fire Station No. 1 on Thursday, he added.

Thunderstorms were seen across the area on Thursday, and the wet weather is expected to continue throughout the day. Wastart said the department plans to be at the intersection during the planned second day of the fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 12, from noon to 6 PM.

The firefighters will make up for this Thursday’s cancellation by holding another “Fill the Boot” event next week, when they’ll descend upon the Main and Division intersection to raise money for their longtime cause of choice.

The makeup date at the intersection will be held on Thursday, Aug.18, from noon to 6 PM. Wastart said if firefighters get rained out again on Friday, Aug. 12, they’ll also be at the intersection on Friday of next week.