SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Sheboygan is now the third location in Wisconsin where firefighters will collect money to pay for child ID kits.
Members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin, the Green Bay Packers, and the American Football Coaches Association joined local leaders Tuesday to announce the local “Fill the Helmet” campaign.
National Child I-D Program Executive Director Kenny Hansmier says who’s sponsoring this statewide effort is a first in their 18 year history. "It’s the hopes of the firefighters and the Packers that we’re able to do nine-hundred and twenty-thousand children, K-through-12, later this year to provide those ID kits to the community."
Each kit will have an inkless fingerprint card, a DNA swab, and a wallet card so parents can have the necessary information available in case their child goes missing.
Speaking for the Packers, team Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer says he’s pleased to encourage Packers backers to get behind this program. "If they can fill up a 70-thousand seat stadium in an hour and a half, they can make a lot of donations in a week or so to help out this program."
Sheboygan Professional Fire Fighters President Chase Longmiller says firefighters will soon be out and about asking for donations for the campaign, similar to the “Fill the Boot” fundraiser for the MDA. "They can (also) stop by any fire station and drop off a donation and just earmark it towards the Child ID kits, and we’ll be glad to take it."
To start off the local effort, businessman Chuck Miesfeld donated $10,000 for the kits Tuesday.
The goal is to raise over two million dollars within the next few months so kits can be handed out through schools statewide in October and November.