STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Officials with the Salvation Army in Portage County are hoping a weekend competition among first responders and public safety officers in the county will give their 2018 Red Kettle campaign a shot in the arm.
The Public Safety Challenge will run from 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday at six bell ringing locations across the Stevens Point area. Brandt Bergeron says the annual event is something that those involved have come to look forward to. “You will be able to get up close and personal with public safety staff, it’s a wonderful way for them to stay engaged with the public and hopefully the community can show their support for the great work our public safety officials do.”
Bergeron says it’s an opportunity for the public to show support for both causes by engaging with the heroes while they ring the bells and by donating to the Red Kettle Campaign, which he said earlier this week is a little behind schedule as the group looks to raise $200,000 to fund its mission for 2019.
Additionally, all firefighters, police officers, and state patrol officers will be in full uniform so Bergeron says it’s a chance for families to get a picture of their children with their heroes.
The department that raises the most money during the six-hour shift will be declared the winner of the public safety challenge. The departments have been assigned the following kettle locations:
Stevens Point Police Department- Trig’s in Stevens PointPortage County Sheriffs Department- Copp’s of Park Ridge Stevens Point Fire Department- Fleet Farm on Highway 10Plover Fire and Police- Wal-Mart at Crossroads CommonsPark Ridge Fire Department- Walgreens of Park RidgeWisconsin State Patrol- Copp’s of Plover
Bergeron adds that another challenge between Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears fans is scheduled for December 15th, the day before the two teams meet in Chicago.
RELATED: Portage County Salvation Army behind on 2018 fundraising goal
Anyone who would like to sign up to ring bells during any of the remaining shifts for the current campaign can do so by visiting www.registertoring.com or by calling the Salvation Army of Portage County headquarters
