Local 478 firefighters have always been involved in a number of charitable organizations, and currently are actively involved with a number of events.

Miracle Match Marathon

   The Waco Professional Firefighters Association created the Miracle Match Marathon by partnering with the "Be The Match Foundation" to raise money and help match bone marrow donors. This year the event was on January 26th and 27th, 2019, and was another huge success. To find out more about this awesome event, please visit the Miracle Match Marathon website at http://miraclematchmarathon.com/

MDA Fill the Boot

   Perhaps the largest and most popular charity event that firefighters in America are known for these days, is "Fill the Boot". This is done in conjunction with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising money that greatly assists in the research, treatment, and patient support provided to those suffering from that horrible disease. The Waco Professional Firefighters Association takes great honor every year in asking citizens and visitors to donate to this great cause. For usually 3 days every year, you will see Waco firefighters throughout the city standing at major intersections, taking donations into bunker boots. For more info about this organization, please click the following link.

http://www.mda.org/

Food for Families

     Every year on the Friday before Thanksgiving, Local 478 firefighters, in conjunction with countless other local businesses and organizations, take part in the annual "Food for Families" drive. This amazing event is the largest one-day food drive in Texas. "Food for Families" keeps all donations local, helping our own citizens in need and their families put food on the table, by supporting numerous area food banks and pantries. About two weeks before the drive, each Waco fire station becomes a drop-off point for non-perishable food items, which are then delivered by firefighters to the main collection location on the day of the drive. We are proud of not only our own firefighter's contributions, but also the overall donations given to this program by all of the citizens of Central Texas. In 2017 alone, over 1.8 million pounds of food was collected overall!!!? The 2019 drive will mark the 30th Anniversary of "Food for Families in Central Texas".