Christmas lights food drive in Weyauwega
By James Card
Dressed as a Christmas elf, Nate Stelzner walked up to Waupaca County Sheriff Tim Wilz.
He was standing with other law enforcement officers in the driveway of Deputy Justin Malueg. They had a campfire going in a fire pit and Malueg’s front yard was bedazzled with hundreds of Christmas lights.
This was part of the Dec. 9 Police vs. Fire Christmas Light Fight and Food Drive.
The firefighters were set up at Stelzner’s over-decorated Griswold-like residence on Parker Street and the police Christmas display was at Malueg’s residence on Ann Street. The goal was to raise donations for local food pantries.
Stelzner, a former firefighter, approached Wilz with a wrapped Christmas present. He had a sly look on his face. Wilz accepted it with suspicion.
“Is it ticking,” someone asked? Both groups are known to play pranks on each other.
Wilz unwrapped the gift and it was three boxes of donuts. It was a distraction. At that moment, a firefighter dressed as the Grinch, ran wildly through Malueg’s driveway, snatched a box of Christmas cookies and took off down Ann Street.
The high jinks continued throughout the evening and police and firefighters took in donations for their respective (but united) food drives: Handcuff Hunger by the police contingent and Extinguish Hunger by the firefighters.
“Last year, we distributed just under a literal ton of food, along with $2,500 in cash to local pantries,” said Malueg.