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© St. Petersburg Times, TAMPA -- Firefighters who collect money every year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association thought they knew what to expect when they decided to hold a "boot drive" for the families of the New York firefighters killed in last week's terrorist attack. At 15 of the busiest intersections in Tampa, Temple Terrace and elsewhere in Hillsborough County on Wednesday, they stood with an outstretched firefighter's boot in one hand and a sign in the other: "In support of the fallen New York firefighters." They were flabbergasted by the response. "We're used to seeing a boot full of change. Now we're getting boots full of $20 bills," said Karl Schmitt, president of the local union for Hillsborough County firefighters. Between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Dale Mabry Highway and Columbus Drive, they collected about $25,000, said Frank Settecasi, secretary-treasurer of the Tampa firefighters union. People going through that intersection handed out $100 bills or wrote checks for as much as $200 while waiting for the light to change, he said. At the intersection of Fowler Avenue and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, some cars made drive-by donations, slowing for the green light while the driver or passenger stuck one hand out the window to thrust money at the collector. Nobody honked their horn at anyone slowing traffic to donate. "One lady dropped off $20, then went to the ATM and came back with $100," said Capt. Michele Lane with Tampa Fire Rescue. "I got choked up a couple of times. It's overwhelming." Al Suarez, president of the local firefighters union, said that when he'd thank people for their donations, they'd reply, "No, thank you." The collection will continue today, and firefighters in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Lakeland will be collecting this weekend, said Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman Bill Wade. At the end of the day, the money was collected in bank bags and locked in a trunk at a department dispatch center. This morning, armored trucks from Regions Bank will collect the bags. The Tampa department has also sent a mass mailing requesting donations. Before asking the public for money, Tampa firefighters donated more than $25,000, Wade said. Firefighters were unable to count all the money donated Wednesday, but were certain they had far exceeded expectations. "Our goal was $50,000," Settecasi said. "I think we'll go over it."
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Headlines From the Times local news desks Mary Jo Melone |
