Turlock Firefighters Local 2434 held its annual Random Acts of Kindness Fill the Boot fundraiser on Saturday and was able to raise almost $16,000  for local charities. Turlock firefighters  voluntarily stood out on the corners of Monte Vista Crossings asking citizens to fill their boots with donations. Firefighters were able to raise $836 alone from people emptying the change trays in their cars. This year's total amount donated is an increase of almost $2,000 from last year, said Captain Frank Saldivar.

"We have a very giving community," he said.

Through Random Acts of Kindness, Turlock firefighters offer scholarships at Turlock and Pitman high schools, provide lunches to Every 15 Minutes drunk driving education program participants, donate to Turlock Together and the Turlock Christmas Parade. The firefighters also help individuals with specific needs, such as a man who needed a raised bed frame to accommodate a chair lift device.