North Star knocks East Liverpool out of Battle of the Bells, round one
Round two will determine community impact in 2024
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EAST LIVERPOOL -- North Star Critical Care LLC was declared the winner over the East Liverpool Fire Department in round one of Battle of The Bells.
North Star and East Liverpool FD battled it out at Walmart Friday for eight hours to see which department could raise the most money for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign, which is nearly $30,000 short of reaching its goal this season.
Each department was stationed at a door at Walmart with firefighters and medics volunteering their time as bell ringers to see who could raise the most money.
North Star collected $1,693.81 and East Liverpool FD collected $1,206.35.
Salvation Army Major Stephanie Larrick said she was thrilled with the amount raised by the first responders and that on a typical Friday at that location, the agency was lucky to collect $500 between the two kettles. The first responders collected almost $3,000 between the two.
Larrick noted that the funds raised during the Battle of the Bells put the season total of funds collected at $16, 551.31. The goal for this year's kettle campaign is $40,000.
"We are really close to halfway to our goal," Larrick said. "As of Tuesday, we will have five kettle days left, so Battle of the Bells Round two this coming Friday is going to have a big impact on how we serve the community in 2024."
East Liverpool Fire Chief Bill Jones said the Salvation Army appeared to be happy with the amount collected and he would take that as a consolation. He said they will beat North Star next year in a re-match.
North Star will face off against Glenmoor Volunteer Fire Department in round two of the Battle of the Bells from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Walmart.
While the real winner in the Battle of the Bells will be the Salvation Army and the people they serve, the winner between the two departments will claim bragging rights for raising the most funds and take the traveling trophy to keep at their station until next year's battle.