Fill the Boot

So on my way to work Thursday, during rush hour, I passed one of the busier on ramps on Hwy 217 (I was on the freeway, looking down towards the exit), and I saw, as usual, what appeared to be the typical panhandlers standing by the metered on-ramp collecting money from drivers waiting to get onto the freeway. Upon closer inspection, I realized there were at least 2 people on that corner, on either side. Holding uniform signs. Since I wasn't driving, Len was driving me to work, I squinted to get a better view of what the signs said. I finally was able to read one, it said "Fill the Boot". At that point, I took a closer look at who the people were holding signs. These are firefighters, dressed in full uniform, in close to 100 degree weather. Standing on the corner, in place of the typical beggers, asking for donations to a better cause. I really thought this was really cool. Typically, as I am passing corners with people on the street begging, I pretend to look busy, because I don't particulary want to pass money to these people. In my opinion, people in need of money that badly have resources around them, and I know if they sought it out, could find shelter and possibly have help finding a job. I know, I know, there are exceptions to this. Just my opinion. We have all heard of the scams out there, where a doctor discovers he can make more money on the street by looking like a bum, and begging for spare change. Blows my mind. So, its hard to say whether or not you should or shouldn't give these people money. Perhaps they really do need it, but honestly I would rather give to a charity where I KNOW my money will not go to buy booze, cigarettes, or whatever other unnecessary item that could be purchased with this cash. So, I was filled with a sense of "wow, how cool is that that these firefighters are being honest and standing out there in this aweful heat collecting money to go towards a truly good cause." I am not even certain if the money was going towards the Fire District, or simply to be given to charity, but I really felt that if I had a $20 on me while passing them, I would have felt very GLAD to pass that money on to them. Go men and women in uniform!