I am firmly against this fund-raising technique. When firemen do it, they call it “Fill the Boot” but other organizations do it too. Basically, by my definition, its whenever people stand in the middle of the traffic lanes at intersections and take up donations or sell candy, poppies, etc. They literally stand on the yellow line and walk between the cars at the red lights/stop signs, pausing by every car to solicit a donation.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a very very bad idea? Its traffic! Its moving, or will be as soon as the light turns green! I don’t care if you are wearing an orange vest with reflective tape….you are still in severe danger of being killed! Drivers are distracted now a days, talking on cell phones, eating tacos, re-buckling unruly kids who escaped in the back seat. They are not looking for orange vested volunteers walking between the lanes in the middle of the road! Get up on the sidewalk where you belong.

I happen to be an insurance professional, so I am a bit conservative by nature. I have spent the last 8 years working for one of the largest and most conservative property and casualty insurers in the country, so it has probably affected me a bit. But even if I was not in the insurance biz, as a parent and a rational citizen I would be against this idea. Its dangerous.

Why do so many charities think this is a good idea? Seriously, if anyone has been involved in one of these fundraisers, please email me. I want to better understand your thinking. When your organization is discussing this idea, do they talk about the dangers? Do you need a permit from the city? Do the cops give you and advice or warnings? Does the organization make you sign a waiver? Did you have any close calls? Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea? Are the donations so great that the danger is worth it?