EVERETT — Matt Spiefel won’t waste a second once the light at a busy intersection turns red.
He was among the Snohomish County Fire District 1 firefighters and paramedics participating this summer in the annual Fill the Boot campaign to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Every year, firefighters across the country hit the streets and ask strangers to fill their firefighter boots to help fight muscular dystrophy and related diseases, Spiefel said.
Firefighters could be seen at the intersection of 128th Street SW and Fourth Avenue W. on July 24 and 25th, and again this past Friday and Saturday.
“It’s kind of a fun thing for us to go out and be involved for the public,” he said.
Spiefel, 24, was in charge of coordinating the event.
After the first weekend, they raised about $11,000, some $1,000 in coins, he said. The goal was $25,000, and it didn’t seem too far out of reach.
The intersection is a busy one. When the light turns red, firefighters walk down the street and hold up their boots. In the first two days, Spiefel estimates that he talked to about 1,000 people.
“I like to see how willing people are to give when it’s for a good cause like this,” he said.
Spiefel is convinced that once you get people talking, they are generous both with conversation and with their wallets.
He also got a chance to hang out with firefighters he never met before — Fire District 1 is a large district.
Firefighters volunteer their time for the campaign, Spiefel said. Some come back year after year, like firefighter Steve Francis, who is one of the most dedicated Fill the Boot volunteers.
Walking down that street with a boot is a rewarding experience, Spiefel said. He got involved when he learned how muscular dystrophy affects young children.
“Kids are always the tough calls to go on,” he said.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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