Solicitation.
It’s a word non-profits live off of and scallywags go to jail over.
It’s also an area that has more gray than black or white.
The other morning as I was being driven to the airport, visions of a husky kid flying through the windshield of the car flashed before me. Seems the local fire department decided to stand in the middle of a busy intersection collecting money on Black Friday.
While these guys and gals risk their lives to save ours, you would think that common sense and safety would always be in the forefront of everything they do.
Not so much.
This husky kid I write about, decided to walk from one side of the street to the other while traffic barreled right at him. The person driving me, saw what was going on up ahead, but didn’t anticipate some half-wit walking out in the middle on oncoming traffic moving at about 45mph.
With a quick slam of the brakes, half-wit proceeded to take his time looking at us with a stare that pretty much resembled that deer-in-the-headlights look we so often hear about. With a “what the f**k was that all about?” coming out of my mouth, we went on our way.
These type of solicitations, often referred to as “Boot Drops” or “Bucket Drops” are not only unsafe but in many towns, cities and states are illegal. And for good reason. Many a time I’ve seen Girl Scout troops, booster clubs, cheerleading squads, you name it… out collecting money in the same fashion, and I always wonder, “why?”
Why would someone want to put themselves at risk of distracted, reckless drivers all in the sense of getting loose change out of someone’s ashtray?
There are plenty of other ways for organizations to get donations. And they’re a hell of a lot safer than standing in the middle of the road, slowing down traffic and dodging senior drivers and texting teens.
Think about it. Is collecting a few hundred bucks on a Saturday morning worth risking life and limb?
I doubt it.