Though friendly in spirit, the smell of competition was in the air at the Chehalis and Centralia Safeways Tuesday.
After pulling off a narrow victory during the inaugural Battle of the Badges in 2023, the Centralia Police Department clearly wanted to bring home a second victory in the competitive Salvation Army fundraiser.
Last year, the agency raised $1,483.22 outside the supermarket, compared to the $1,476.45 raised by Chehalis. The close nature sparked a friendly rivalry between the departments, with several unnamed public officials reportedly contacting the organization after the result was announced to see if they could tip Chehalis toward victory.
While the Salvation Army will gladly accept donations at the red kettles sprinkled throughout Lewis County through Christmas, the post-buzzer contributions were not allowed to count toward each department’s respective totals.
In full disclosure and to remain neutral, a reporter from The Chronicle dropped $1 in each red kettle this year so the donations would not tilt the scale in either side's favor.
As for the departments and cities, both sides wanted to earn bragging rights. As The Chronicle stood inside the Chehalis Safeway, one community member deposited $6.77 into the kettle — the exact amount Chehalis lost by in 2023.
In the end, it was Centralia that came out on top, raising $2,021.16 to Chehalis’ $1,978.84, a difference of $42.32.
“We’re just happy to help the Salvation Army in their efforts to help our communities,” Centralia’s Interim Police Chief Andy Caldwell said. “I think a lot of people don’t realize how much they help us with things like disaster relief.”
Caldwell added that the fundraiser was a “great opportunity to help with community partners, and it’s also a good opportunity to come out and engage with the public.”
Meanwhile, in Chehalis, Chief Randy Kaut was determined to win.
“I appreciate all of the people who have contributed. It's really great, and we’re going to beat Centralia this year,” Kaut said confidently, and falsely, during the competition.
Chehalis City Manager Stacy Denham, who led Centralia to victory last year as police chief, was also determined to bring a win to his new city.
“It’s for a really good cause. It’s to help our community members,” Denham said. “And there really are no losers in this case, except that I want Chehalis to be the winner.”
Regardless of the victor, Salvation Army Captain Gin Pack said both sides' contributions would go toward a good cause, and noted after the results were announced that the competition raised $4,000.
“We’re just really appreciative of the collaborative effort, and just the willingness of both police departments to support their neighbors in need,” Pack said. “These funds completely stay local, and having that participation means that individuals will be able to not have to choose between staying housed, feeding their families, and it really supports vital programs that give back to the community.”
As the volunteers ring their customary red bells, though, the Salvation Army has sounded the alarm in recent weeks to raise awareness of a decline in donations to the organization. On Thursday, the organization said donations to the annual fundraiser are down 30% across the Pacific Northwest.
“Our goal is $85,000, which is about $1 per person in the county,” Pack said.
Two weeks before the Christmas holiday, Pack said a lack of donations so far created two problems: a shortage of resources and increased demand for aid among the community.
“When we see that, it is also a really clear indication that, as a whole, the community is hurting,” Pack said. “But that means that more people are trying to access the services and money and programs that we use that money for. So those that can, we need as much support as possible.”
To learn how to volunteer or to donate, go to https://www.registertoring.com/.
