When a car accident took Bellville area resident Scott Tollison’s life and left his family in need, the Jefferson Township Fire Department made a decision to do something about it. On October 5, the all volunteer department will hit the streets to raise funds for the family in its annual fill the boot campaign.
“In light of recent events, we have chosen the Scott Tollison family to support for our 2013 Boot Drive.” the fire department stated on their Facebook page, “Scott was tragically killed in an automobile accident on September 21st and leaves behind a Wife [Paula, son Hunter (7th grade) and son Wyatt 8yrs old who also has Cerebral Palsy. The family will be without medical insurance due to the passing of Scott. We are honored to help this family in their time of need and hope that the community will come out and support them as well.”
Like many fire departments around the nation, Jefferson Township Fire Department runs an annual campaign on behalf of charitable causes called “Fill the Boot.” Lindsay Roberts, an EMT and firefighter, spoke on behalf of the department and said the Jefferson Township station takes a primarily local focus. Past campaigns have benefitted Grant Reed along his quest to beat “Michigan,” Akron Children’s Hospital, and The Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center.
Saturday’s drive will take place from 9 a.m. – noon at the intersections in Bellville. As traffic stops at intersections, members of the all volunteer fire department will approach cars with fire boots and collect donations. Each coin and dollar bill that is dropped into the open boots will go to benefit the family.
For this drive, Roberts reports that the department “didn’t have anybody in mind.” That all changed with a single car accident that rippled through the Bellville community.
A 1990 graduate of Clear Fork High School and life-long resident of the area, Tollison was remembered for his days as multi-sport athlete for the Clear Fork Colts, his work ethic, and his volunteering in youth sports. The county road worker’s obituary reads “Rugged as he was, Scott was “a big teddy bear” and loved hanging out with his family and friends, but was also protective of their best interests. Honest and caring, “T” took care of his people.”
“This is an immediate thing we can do to help out,” said Roberts. She also noted that the funds raised will be supplemented by the Jefferson Township Fire Department. The department will, as they have with the other causes, reach into their own funds to aid the family.
For those not passing through Bellville at that time, donations can still be given at a large inflatable firefighters boot that sits in front of Stoodt’s market. Donations can also be mailed to the department at 470 S Main St. Bellville, OH 44813.
“We are honored to help this family in their time of need and hope that the community will come out and support them as well.” – Jefferson Township Fire Department
