Yonkers firemen net close to $40,000 for charity

For more than ten years Yonkers Firefighters, Local 628, has organized a "Fill the Boot" charity fund drive on Central Ave in front of Fire Station 14. To date, Local 628 and the generous citizens of Yonkers have raised close to $500,000 through this event with all of the proceeds going to charity.

Yonkers Firefighters Local 628 raised close to $40,000 in this year's Fill the Boot charity drive, set up in front of Fire Station 14 on Central Avenue.

"The firefighters of Yonkers Local 628 want to thank everyone who donated," Barry McGoey, local president, said in a statement Tuesday. "Though this charity event does slow down traffic a bit, the donations are appreciated, especially at a time when the organizations we seek to support struggle to raise funds due to the economic downturn."

Close to $500,000 has been raised in the more than 10 years the firefighters have held the Fill the Boot campaign. All the money goes to charity.

Among the organizations the local supports are the New York City Ronald McDonald House, Maria Fareri's Children Hospital, and the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.