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SALT LAKE CITY -- Treekies, Star Wars fans and other comic book aficionados combined their passion and compassion together Saturday to raise money for various organizations.
A Star Wars fan group helped raise money for firefighter Mike Stentzel, who suffered a stroke in November and until recently was in a coma and his prognosis was unclear.
A month later, Stentzel is awake and alert in a rehab center making what some feel is remarkable progress.
Stenztel suffered a stroke while on duty, with his team from Fire Station One in Orem on November 2. He was rushed into surgery and has been recuperating since. Saturday, the Fill the Boot campaign that ceased last month after a complaint, resumed on private property, at Wal-Mart stores in Lindon and Orem. Off-duty Orem firefighters, along with the attention-grabbing Star Wars fan club, the Alpine Garrison Club, joined forces to help in a fundraiser for firefighter Mike. And those characters from Star Wars really helped to attract attention to the cause.
"We're here to bring attention to his situation and help raise funds for his growing hospital bills," said Christy Giles, a member of the Alpine Garrison Club.
Stentzel's wife is expecting their first child early next year and because of the uncertainty about his future, many people are helping them out.
"We really love Mike and we want him to get better. We don't know his prognosis fully or how long this is going to take, so we want to raise as much as we can," said Jason Garcia, of the Orem Fire Dept. "If it's down the road for recovery, we want him to be prepared."
Though he can't talk yet, Mike Stentzel made it out to the Orem store to thank people for their concern and support.
"He is working on walking right now, he's got a speech therapist and occupational therapist, so he gets better everyday," said Kelsae Stentzel, Mike's wife. "He gets frustrated because it's not going fast enough."
His firefighter "brothers" have been at his side, pushing him to get better.
"That was great, I was totally surprised he was even coming down there, he is doing so good, the doctors figured he wouldn't be this good for years," said David Forsyth of the Orem Fire Department.
What Mike can't say with words just yet, he can communicate through his emotions.
Another group met at Hastur Games and Comics in Salt Lake with members of the Marine Corps to collect toys for the charity Toys for Tots.
This group was slightly more diverse than those serving Stentzel --Superman and Iron man showed up, and Darth Vadar and a Jedi got along for the afternoon during the drive.
Hastur Games and Comics will be collecting toys until Dec. 20. They are located on State Street near 6800 Suth in Salt Lake.
For information about donating to the Stentzel family, go to the Orem Firefighter Mike Stentzel Fund blog*.
Email:spenrod@ksl.com
--- *ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
