Giving back to the community has always come naturally for Shea and Sawyer Springer.

They both grew up watching their father, Steve, give as much as he could to the city of Fort Dodge.

So when it came time to figure out their own paths, it was an easy choice to make — give back to the town they’ve loved all their lives.

Shea has taken on the task of running four businesses in town: the Snack Shack, B&L’s Drive-Thru, Midwest Medical Rides and Diamond Pro Lawn Services.

Sawyer has also started down his own path, serving as a probationary firefighter with the Fort Dodge Fire Department and working as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Fort Dodge athletic program.

Both are guided by the memory of their father and their late brother, Sean, who was running both B&L’s and Midwest Medical Rides when he died in an ATV accident last year.

“I think both of us try our hardest to emulate mom (Juli) and dad. But especially our dad,” said Shea, who himself was a firefighter in Fort Dodge before taking on all his business ventures. “It’s what we saw growing up, so 100 percent that’s what motivates us.”

Sawyer said they both probably will never reach the heights that their father did when he was involved in so many things in the community and was running one of the more successful businesses.

“Honestly, I don’t think no matter how hard we try, we’re going to be able to do things he did,” Sawyer said. “I don’t know how he did everything he did. He ran the Fort Dodge concession stand, he was in the Lions Club, Sertoma, he was on the school board. It just blows my mind. As a kid, I just thought he was just involved in a lot. As we got older, I don’t know how he did it all.”

Steve Springer was diagnosed with cancer in March 2020. He passed away on May 31 of that same year.

That year, Shea started taking over the reins at Snack Shack. Then on April 2, 2023, Sean was killed when his ATV rolled over. He was running both B&L’s Drive-Thru and Midwest Medical Rides at the time. Shea stepped in to keep those businesses running as well.

“I never planned to be a business owner,” said Shea. “I was just like Sawyer. I was a young firefighter. Once my dad got sick, I knew it was something I had to do. When Sean passed, I just knew if I had one job, it was to do that.

“It’s not easy. If I had a to-do list, it would be the size of a phone book,” he said. “I have always had good people around me. It’s been a huge learning experience. I joke around with friends that I still don’t know what I am doing.”

Shea was a firefighter from 2018 to 2022. He tried balancing that job and running Snack Shack and found that to be a little daunting, so he started full-time at the ice cream shop.

“Amy Rosalez was the manager when my dad was running (Snack Shack). She was a huge help,” he said. “It was 24-hour shifts at the Fire Department. I did the best I could for as long as I could, so I had to step away. It was a tough decision to leave the Fire Department. They were like my family.”

Sawyer went to the University of Iowa, but was unsure of his future when he left Iowa City. He worked at some of the family businesses for a while, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do for a career.

He saw the Fort Dodge Fire Department was hiring and felt that would be a good fit for him.

“I saw they were hiring and I thought it would be perfect. I like to work out and I like to be on my feet and do hands-on work,” he said. “I was kind of surprised I got it because there were other people who had more experience, but I love it so far.”

Sawyer is taking classes at Iowa Central Community College during his one-year probationary period and is studying to be an EMT and eventually a paramedic.

He also spends his off days working with athletes at the Fort Dodge Senior High School weight room. He works with former Dodgers Brock Adams and Dalton Summers. Adams is the head weight room supervisor.

“We’re all former Dodgers, which makes a big difference,” said Sawyer. “We understand it’s not the biggest or greatest weight room and we’re not the biggest or strongest people, but we have a great mentality and that goes a long way.”

Both Shea and Sawyer said it was an easy decision to stay in Fort Dodge and be part of this community and help young people find their way.

“I’ve always loved Fort Dodge,” said Shea. “I like that you can kind of know everybody, but not know everybody. I’ve never wanted to leave.”

“I’m the same way,” added Sawyer. “I knew a career or job could take you away, but if I had a choice, I will stay here.”

“I think it’s a really cool thing to hire high school kids here at the Snack Shack and help them along,” said Shea. “In the same regard, Sawyer is doing that in sports right now. We just teach basic discipline and social skills.”

They both credited their family and upbringing as they went through first the loss of their father and then the loss of their brother.

“When our dad was the first thing we went through, I think we realized we really needed to stick together,” said Shea. “Whether it was a conscious thing or not, we realized how important family is. Those things were kind of thrown at us and we learned, these things happen and we need to stick together.”

“When our dad passed, I remember that night our entire front sidewalk was covered with candles. And then the parade,” said Sawyer. “I think things like that really shine through for what this town really is.”