The head honchos of the City of Portland’s Fire and Police Bureaus showed their support this afternoon for The Salvation Army in a Celebrity Bell Ringing Challenge! 

Firefighters from Station 4 and 21 come out to support The Salvation Army's mission. 

Fire Chief John Klum and Police Chief Mike Reese rang bells in front of the downtown Nordstrom store and Macy’s store, respectively, to see who could fill their kettle with more money.

(Left) Fire Chief Klum gives an interview to a KEX News Reporter and (Right) speaks to a citizen.

The money raised each year in the Red Kettle Campaign goes directly to The Salvation Army’s 10 social service centers (Corps) and programs in the Metro area which serve everyone from babies to seniors.  More than 60% of all funds raised by The Salvation Army occurs during the last quarter of the year, primarily through these kettle efforts.  Last year’s Red Kettle Campaign raised over $600,000 in the Portland-Metro area.

Fire Chief Klum was on a holiday mission.  Not only did he proudly raise close to $400.00 in just two-hours, but he shook hands, gave hugs, and chatted with citizens out and about in downtown Portland. Firefighters from Station 1, 3, 4, 21 and the Fire Marshal's Office, civilian staff from PF&R's Administrative Headquarters, and employees from the Bureau of Emergency Communications even stopped by to stand next to their Chief, ring the bells, make a donation, and show their support for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.

Congratulations also goes out to Police Chief Mike Reese who raised $464.91 and all other participants in Celebrity Bell Ringing Challenge including Region President of Wells Fargo Don Pearson, District President of KeyBank Brian Rice, President of Fred Meyer Mike Ellis, Portland Division President of Safeway Steve Frisby, President and General Manager of KGW DJ Wilson, General Manager of KATU John Tamerlano, Chief Operation Officer of Alpha Broadcasting Bob Proffitt, and General Manager of Clear Channel Communications Robert Dove.

Additional Celebrity Bell Ringing totals are below:

• Fred Meyer - $3,276.50
• Safeway -   $6,524.74  
• KATU - $722.40
• KGW - $649.89
• Clear Channel - $1.802,76
• Alpha Broadcasting - $ 818.02
• Key Bank - 1,993.48
• Wells Fargo - $1,239.60

Station 4 rings bells alongside Fire Chief Klum.

Portland Fire & Rescue sends out a huge thank you all of the citizens and friends that stopped by the downtown Nordstrom store to drop a few coins or dollars into the kettle!

Additional photos can be viewed on Portland Fire & Rescue's Facebook page here.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   December 13, 2010 

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