Boot Drive to Raise Funds for Burn Victims

The 12th Annual Jeff Chavis Boot Drive starts Thursday, and firefighters from Lexington and Richland counties will be out collecting money to help support the Jeffrey Vaden Chavis House at the Joseph M. Still Burn Unit in Augusta, Georgia.

Emergency Services personnel will collect funds in firefighters’ boots at Lexington County intersection from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. They'll also be collecting donations between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Walmart stores in Lexington and Richland counties.

Firefighters from Lexington County Fire Service, Columbia-Richland County Fire Department, Irmo Fire District, West Columbia Fire Department, Cayce Public Safety, Batesburg-Leesville Fire Department and members of Lexington County EMS will participate.

The fundraiser is in memory of fallen firefighter Jeff Chavis, who was a Lexington County firefighter who died in 2001 while battling a structure fire in Lexington County, according to officials. 

The group has worked to establish and support the Jeff Chavis House at the Joseph M. Still Burn Unit in Augusta, Ga.

This burn unit, the largest in the United States, treats the critically injured burn patients from throughout the Southeast, according to a release.

Their support provides the families of burn victims with a place to stay while caring for critically injured family members. In addition, the funds assist the burn patients with burn garments and other care associated with treatment.

Citizens who want more information about this Boot Drive, future fundraisers and the how they can assist in this effort, can call Lexington County Boot Drive Coordinators Tony Signorino at 803-785-8331 or Eddie Turner at 803-785-8632.