Wisconsin bank honors local heroes with hot dogs

Pictured, from left: Craig Lau, Peoples State Bank; Terry Williams, Rhinelander Fire Chief; Brandon Karaba, Peoples State Bank; Lloyd Gauthier, Rhinelander Police Chief, and Grady Hartman, Oneida County Sheriff (Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee Star-Journal).

Peoples State Bank, Wausau, Wis., hosted its annual Police and Fire Appreciation cookout on Aug. 10, which honored the community’s firefighters and police force in Rhinelander, Wis.

With 300 brats sold and more than $1,500 dollars collected, the cookout was held to show appreciation for the personnel who keep the community safe. Event-goers offered a five-dollar donation in exchange for a brat, chips and a drink. Attendees had the chance to talk to firefighters and police officers, and view the emergency vehicles and equipment on display.

“We love being able to hold an event that not only brings the community out to support our local police and fire departments, but also allows families to meet the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day,” said $880 million bank mortgage loan officer, Brandon Karaba.

The donations will go toward supporting the Oneida dive team, funding firefighter rescue equipment, and drug abuse resistance education. The earnings were divided between the Rhinelander Fire Department, Police Department, and Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

Peoples State Bank, founded in 1962, serves north central Wisconsin from nine locations in Marathon, Oneida and Vilas Counties, and commercial loan production offices in Milwaukee and Stevens Point, Wis.