It’s that time of year again when the Escalon Firefighters, dressed out in their firefighter-issue bottoms and helmets will have their boots out in the hopes that generous citizens will drop a dollar or two to donate to the Firefighters Burn Institute in Sacramento.

The annual event helps fund a variety of fire prevention programs, burn victim survivor services, educational outreach and more.

Firefighters will be stationed at the main intersection of Escalon-Bellota Road-Highway 120-McHenry Avenue for several hours on both Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19.

Last year, $22,450 was raised for the worthy cause but coordinators of the event are always hoping to beat the previous year’s numbers.

Drivers are asked to be courteous and careful as they navigate around the firefighters during the time they are in the roadways collecting donations.