Former Irvington Board of Education President Linda Vann Dupree, right, points to the back of the T-shirt that most Irvington Fire Division firefighters and some other participants wore during the seventh annual Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, Oct. 8, that was also part of the Irvington Fire Division FMBA Local 14 and Irvington Fire Division SOA unions’ ‘Fill the Boot’ fundraising campaign, in support of cancer research, that began on Thursday, Oct. 5. All funds raised and proceeds from the walk event will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Springfield.
IRVINGTON, NJ — The members of the Irvington Fire Division were busy “passing the boot” to collect donations for a good cause on Thursday, Oct. 5, leading up to the seventh annual Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, Oct. 8.
“We also did a ‘Fill the Boot’ drive, from which we raised about $3,500, and we’re giving all the proceeds straight to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Springfield,” said IFD FMBA Vice President Mike Scott on Sunday, Oct. 8.
According to Capt. Kaimu Suggs, who also serves as the president of the IFD’s Superior Officers Association union, the entire division was united for the cause. Suggs, who also owns and operates the Maltese Munchies popcorn vending stand, said he also works for charity.
“They call me the King of Pop. Michael Jackson, don’t do this,” said Suggs on Sunday, Oct. 8. “We try to do community-oriented events and things of that nature. Just giving from the heart. I’m not getting paid for this. All the proceeds are going toward the breast cancer walk. Anybody who bought a bag of popcorn or a glass of lemonade today, it’s going for a good cause. It’s charity. That’s how you make America great again: charity.”
Suggs’ stand was set up outside the IFD Headquarters in Civic Square, where Scott and the other walkers gathered before the 2-mile walk around Irvington on Sunday, Oct. 8. Even though most of the firefighters were busy with the walk, others were busy doing their jobs.
“It’s the fire life. We’re on the job, 24/7,” said Suggs. “Somebody’s always on duty, so those guys are helping out but, at the drop of a dime, they’ve got to go. If something comes in, they’ve got to go. That’s how it is.”
That’s also why fire Chief Antonio Gary said he appreciates and respects the men and women of the Irvington Fire Division.
“We’re just all concerned about the community,” said Gary on Sunday, Oct. 8. “We try to bring information to the public. Breast cancer affects a lot of people in our community, so we just try to keep everybody informed, raise money for research and just partner with the Susan Komen Foundation.”
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