By Shannon Lukens.
In Steamboat Springs, the police and fire rescue departments are having a holiday battle. Both are trying to collect the most food and monetary donations for LiftUp of Routt County. The contest runs through New Years. Collection bins for food and personal items for LiftUp are at the police and fire stations and City Hall.
If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, simply scan the Venmo QR Code. When people donate, please leave a memo that designates police or fire so it will count toward each agency’s overall total.
Press release from City of Steamboat Springs; Dec. 12, 2023
LiftUp Challenge Pits Fire vs Police This Holiday Season
Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue & Police Collect Food & Monetary Donations
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-December 12, 2023- We all try to watch our figure especially during the holidays, but this December, Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) and Steamboat Springs Police Department (SSPD) will be doing the opposite and bulk up as they battle each other to collect the most food and monetary donations for LiftUp of Routt County through New Year’s Eve.
“As public safety agencies, we always like a friendly rivalry, and this food collection competition went to the heart of sharing the holiday spirit and helping others in our community,” said Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli “More than 2,600 people in Routt County go to bed hungry on a daily basis and we’re hoping our efforts extinguish a little bit of that this holiday season.”
Each department will be working to collect the most donations on a weekly basis between now and December 31. Police officers and firefighters will be spreading holiday cheer and using their competitive spirit for the good of the community to collect as much as they can before the New Year. Totals will be weighed each week along the competition.
Requests items include canned goods (soups, vegetable, meats), rice/beans, boxed dinners (hamburger helper), bags/tins of coffee, boxed cereal/oatmeal, pancake/waffle mix, syrup/jams/jellies, peanut butter, pop-tarts/granola bar, and shelf stable juice & milk. In addition, personal items, dental hygiene, feminine products, and infant care are always in demand. Items must be packaged and not expired or past best by date.
Collection bins for SSFR will be located outside the Mountain Fire Station and the downtown Ambulance Barn. SSPD will have collection locations in the Combined Law Enforcement Facility Lobby and at City Hall. In addition, each agency may be seen at various locations across town seeking donations and raising awareness. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, simply scan the Venmo QR Code. When people donate, please leave a memo that designates police or fire so it will count toward each agency’s overall total.
“Regardless of which agency brings in the most; together, we all win by assisting our community and taking care of our neighbors,” commented Police Chief Mark Beckett. “The holiday season can bring added stress especially when you are fighting to hang on and we hope our combined efforts alleviate some of those fears for folks.”
Respecting the dignity of every person, LiftUp serves the community by providing resources and assistance to meet basic human needs and strengthen self-sufficiency. Today, LiftUp is comprised of three departments: Food Banks/Community Support Center, Thrift Store, and Donation Center and actively serves 1 in 10 residents across the county.