City Times Staff

First Weber Group of Stevens Point presented $5,000 to the Salvation Army on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the group received another large donation from the Plover VFW- this time, $1,000.

The donations bring the annual Red Kettle Campaign to about $89,000- more than halfway to its $135,000 annual goal.

VFW Post 1062 – Greater Plover Area presenting a check for $1,000 to The Salvation Army of Portage County. L-R: Gary Matthees (VFW), Gary Jay (VFW), Bob Quam (The Salvation Army), Mike Zynda (VFW). (Contributed photo)

“It’s so encouraging to see so many help the cause,” said Bob Quam, director of operations for the Salvation Army.

Quam said bell-ringing at area stores and shopping centers are most successful during themed events, to include last weekend’s “Packers v Bears” event, which pitted fans of the rival teams at red kettles in a friendly contest.

The bell-ringing ends by Christmas, Quam said, but Kwik Trip and Team Schierl Companies will continue to send donations from small “counter kettles” through February.

“Every time someone put money into the Packer kettle, the Bears fan would say, ‘Oh, thank you very much, and Happy Thanksgiving,” said Tom Gaudet, kettle coordinator for the Salvation Army. “I’m not sure many people got the job, but it was hilarious and all in good fun.”

The football themed event brought in nearly $4,000, with the Packers “winning” the day.

Local public safety agencies also took up the challenge in early December. Firefighters, EMS providers and law enforcement entered into a friendly challenge while ringing bells at local stores. Some wore Santa hats, others sang Christmas carols, but they collectively raised nearly $6,000 for the Salvation Army.

Future events include employees of Team Schierl Companies at all The Store locations on Friday, Dec. 18, and Armed Forces Day on Saturday, Dec. 19.

For more information, find the Salvation Army on Facebook, or check the City Times Facebook page on Friday and Saturday for live updates.