There are fewer than 150 days until Santa comes to your house, but the time is now to help those in need. Emergency personnel in Door and Kewaunee counties congregated at Culver’s in Sturgeon Bay for its now annual Lights of Christmas Campaign. The effort started nearly a decade ago by Q90 FM in Green Bay as a part of their ministry to help people in need during the holiday season. What started with two police departments distributing $10,000 and 100 backpacks in 2016 has grown to 75 departments participating and distributing $225,000 in gift cards and 1000 backpacks. Door County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Kyle Veeser says that it has become one of the most impactful ways they are able to connect with the community, whether they are contributing to the cause or benefiting from the generosity.

Veeser adds that even though this is a statewide effort, all the money collected for Lights of Christmas stays in the community. If you missed out on this year’s effort, you can always donate directly by clicking this link.