New rules displace Lake Co. firefighters' charity drive

Changes to a village ordinance have forced Lincolnshire-Riverwoods Fire Protection District firefighters to relocate their annual "fill the boot" fundraising drive today.

Crews traditionally have manned major intersections along Milwaukee Avenue to collect money from motorists for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

A relatively new rule in Lincolnshire banning solicitors from local streets has forced them to move the operation.

"We were a little disappointed because of the history of us doing it there, and people were used to seeing us there," said firefighter/paramedic Paul Schebel, the department's public education and information coordinator.

Firefighters have found three locations to hold the drive, which is sponsored by the firefighters' union and supported by the department. The Cubby Bear North sports bar, the Lincolnshire Commons shopping center and the City Park shopping center will play host.

Thanks to some advance promotion at the sites, Schebel expects firefighters may actually collect more money than they did last year.

"Their support has just been outstanding," he said.

The ordinance change, adopted by the village board this past spring, was prompted by complaints about solicitors disrupting traffic and creating dangerous situations at intersections on Milwaukee Avenue, officials said. The Route 45 and Route 22 intersections were particularly problematic, Police Chief Randy Melvin said.

"They were impeding traffic," Melvin said. "And it wasn't just one group. It was pretty much everybody out there."

Supporters of the ban knew it would affect the fire department's annual charity drive, but Melvin said the situation was too unsafe to continue.

"We thought enough is enough - it's time to get these guys out of the intersections," he said.

Charity-minded firefighters in Colorado, Florida, Oregon and other states have faced similar restrictions in recent years, all prompted by moves to stop panhandling.

Lincolnshire-Riverwoods firefighters have been collecting money for the MDA along Milwaukee Avenue for the past four years, Schebel said. Last year, they raised $2,338 for the organization, a favorite charity for fire departments across the nation.

Because of the new restrictions, firefighters sought assistance from local businesses, and they were invited to set up at the Cubby Bear and the shopping centers.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, crews will take donations at Lincolnshire Commons, 900 Milwaukee Ave., and at City Park, 255 Parkway Drive. Starting at 6 p.m., they'll be at Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Notices about today's fundraiser have appeared on the marquees for the Cubby Bear and City Park, and the hosts have allowed banners to go up, too, Schebel said.

Promotional efforts have been so good, firefighters hope to double last year's donations, Schebel said.