Jen Lynds and Jason Schott hold the boots in advance of Friday’s boot drive, a fundraising effort which will be located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Liberty St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Firefighters will be at work in downtown Warren all day today.

But they won’t be putting out fires.

They’ll be meeting needs in the community.

According to Andy Moore, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1835, on- and off-duty City of Warren firefighters as well as staff from Beaty-Warren Middle School will be participating in the annual boot drive on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Liberty St.

All funds raised in the drive, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will stay local as the firefighters have partnered to raise funds for the food pantry at Beaty.

Any money raised beyond the needs of the food pantry, Moore explained, will go towards purchasing clothing and assorted personal care items for students in need.

Moore said the effort, which has previously raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, is a response to seeing a need in the community that they could meet.

Moore cautioned that they are only collecting money and aren’t equipped to collect food donations.

He said the drive raised over $6,000 last year and reiterated that the “money is going to help children in Warren County. The money stays here.

“People in Warren are definitely generous, without a doubt.”