Firefighter fan donates birthday money

By Melanie Marshall

A birthday party turned into a fundraising event for 6-year-old Miles Spell.

Miles Spell, 6, asked for donations instead of gifts for his birthday. On Wednesday afternoon he donated $107 to the Watauga County Firefighters Burned Children Fund – the first donation to be made to the newly organized chapter. Photo by Melanie Marshall

Spell visits the Boone Fire Department almost once a week, according to Matthew Crawford, fire prevention specialist for the department. His mother, Jennefer Spell, said he is fascinated with the engines, tankers and rescue vehicles.

When asked why he likes to visit the firefighters, Miles Spell has one answer – “everything.”

“He is a truck kind-of boy and fire trucks must be the coolest,” Jennefer Spell said. “Also, the firefighters welcome him in and know him by name.”

When it came time to plan Miles Spell’s sixth birthday party, held last Saturday, mother and son began discussing how many people were going to attend. His entire kindergarten class from Two Rivers Community School was invited. Instead of toys, they decided to ask for donations. They talked about several organizations before Miles Spell chose the Boone Fire Department as the recipient of the funds.

“He was so thrilled, he never once mentioned not getting presents,” Jennefer Spell.

“We put the information on the invitation and everyone liked the idea.”

Miles Spell raised a total of $107 at his party. Several of his classmates joined him at Station 2 of the Boone Fire Department on Wednesday to present the money to fire chief Reggie Hassler. After the presentation the children were given a tour and photographed inside a fire truck.

Crawford said the funds would be directed to the newly formed Watauga Firefighters Burned Children Fund. Spell’s donation is the first to be received by the Watauga chapter of this statewide organization.

The fund is used for educational programs for children, to benefit the N.C. Jaycee Burn Center and Camp Celebrate. The camp is an annual event for child burn survivors. It is designed as an opportunity for survivors to meet other children who have burn scars and share their experiences and triumphs.

Miles Spell surprised everyone Wednesday when asked what he wanted to be when he grows up.

“I want to be a UPS man,” he answered. “Fireman just seems too dangerous.”