Gazette Staff

STEVENS POINT – The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign is holding its annual Portage County Public Safety Challenge, Saturday, Dec. 8.

Members of the Plover Fire Department, Plover Police Department, Stevens Point Police Department, Stevens Point Fire Department, Park Ridge Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and the Portage County Sheriff’s Department will “battle it out” to see who can raise the most money in their respective red kettles.

The Public Safety Challenge runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Saturday at the following red kettle locations:

Stevens Point Police Department – Trig’s in Stevens Point

Portage County Sheriff’s Department – Copp’s Market – Park Ridge

Stevens Point Fire Department – Fleet Farm on Hwy 10

Plover Fire and Plover Police Depts. – two entrances of Walmart in Crossroads Commons

Park Ridge Fire Department – Walgreens in Park Ridge

Wisconsin State Patrol – Copp’s Market – Plover

“All public safety staff in Portage County are deeply invested in this challenge,” said retired Portage County Sheriff John Charewicz.  “They see firsthand the work the Salvation Army does on behalf of the underserved in Portage County and are happy to ‘compete’ to raise dollars for Salvation Army programs that serve our communities year-round.”

“The public safety challenge is more important this year because the Salvation Army is a little behind their 2018 fundraising goal for the Red Kettle Campaign,” said Craig Shuler, campaign chair.  “With the unseasonable cold in the early part of the campaign, fewer dollars have been raised.  We encourage people to contribute this weekend and sign up for bell ringing shifts through Christmas Eve and give at least two hours to serving their community through the Red Kettle campaign.”

To sign up for shifts at any number of locations Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, please log on to RegisterToRing.com, or call the Salvation Army at 715-341-2437.  The goal of this year’s campaign is $200,000 and runs through Dec. 24 at 4:00 PM.