Meet Dan the SPCA’s tin man
Dan Spengler (76), known as the official ‘tin man’ of the Boksburg SPCA, has been standing on the streets collecting money for the society since 2010.
He shared with the Advertiser where this journey began.
His wife was passionate about the SPCA and served on the Boksburg SPCA committee.
Being a pensioner, the chairman of the committee approached Spengler in January 2007 to do the counting and banking of the society’s money.
At that time, his wife was in charge of the Boksburg SPCA’s collection tins.
In December 2007, Spengler’s wife had a stroke. She recovered, but suffered short term memory loss.
In 2010, he officially started collecting on the streets to boost the income collected in the tins, which was not enough originally.
His wife died in 2014, but he carried on with the street collections to keep himself busy.
“I enjoy it and besides reading, sudoku and my shell collection, it keeps me busy,” said Spengler.
The main locations he collects at are the North Rand and Rondebult roads intersection, Farrar Park shopping centre, Trichardts and Kingfisher roads intersection and the robot at Parkrand Shopping Centre.
Once a month his son will wear the dalmatian (Spotty) or deer head mascots and help him out.
He said that some days were good while others are not so good.
The community is urged to support Spengler when they spot him.
It’s also important to know that Dan and his son are the only people collecting money for the Boksburg SPCA.
If any other person claims to be collecting for the SPCA, please report this immediately by phoning the Boksburg SPCA offices on 011 916 5906/7.
