City Times Staff

The Salvation Army has announced several theme days for bell-ringers participating in the 2016 Red Kettle Campaign.

Dec. 3 will be the Armed Forces Challenge, held between various branches of the United States military. Bell-ringers will be at Walmart, Copps in Park Ridge, Fleet Farm and Trigs throughout the day.

On Dec. 10, local police and fire groups will square off to determine which team can raise the most funds. The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office will be at Copps in Park Ridge from 10 AM to 4 PM. Plover police and firefighters will be at Walmart from 10 AM to 1 PM, and will feature Ofc. Jeff Thomas and his “singing clan”.

Stevens Point firefighters will be at Fleet Farm, and Stevens Point police will ring bells at Trigs from 10 AM to 3 PM. Park Ridge firefighters will be at the Park Ridge location of Walgreens from 2 PM to 6 PM.

Dec. 14 will see a showdown between Portage Co. Executive Patty Dreier will be at Coops in Park Ridge, Mayor Mike Wiza at Trigs, and Plover Administrator Dan Mahoney at Copps in Plover from 6 PM to 8 PM.

The well-known Packer-Bear Challenge will be on Dec. 17, where fans of both teams — decked out in team apparel — will raise Red Kettle funds at Walmart, Copps, Fleet Farm and Trigs.

According to Bob Quam, Stevens Point Salvation Army Director of Operations, money raised during the Red Kettle Campaign helps provide food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter for the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.

The 2016 fundraising goal is $150,000, he said.