The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation donated $21,000 to the Mount Pleasant Police Department to buy a speed monitoring trailer.
The restaurant collects donations from its guests by offering leftover five-gallon buckets for a $2 donation to the Foundation. They also allow guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar and donation canisters at the register for guests to donate their spare change.
Officials with the foundation held a donation ceremony at the Firehouse Subs restaurant, 6012 Washington Ave., in Mount Pleasant on Thursday. Local police officers, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation executive director Robin Peters, Firehouse Subs area representative Eric Erwin and franchisees Jason Jaramillo and Iram Cruz attended the ceremony.
“We want to thank all of the donors that help our organization provide these lifesaving tools,” Peters said. “Our first responders are our heroes and we want to be sure they have what they need to protect their communities.”
In an effort to reduce unsafe driving habits, the equipment helps to increase speed awareness and traffic compliance. Racine County had 4,145 car crashes in 2016. A number of those crashes involved serious injuries.“The Mount Pleasant Police Department is very pleased to accept the donation from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation,” said Police Chief Tim Zarzecki. “This equipment will be used to educate the driving public on speed awareness and hopefully make our community a safer place when traveling on the roads.”
“The Mount Pleasant Police Department is very pleased to accept the donation from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation,” said Police Chief Tim Zarzecki. “This equipment will be used to educate the driving public on speed awareness and hopefully make our community a safer place when traveling on the roads.”
Zarzecki noted that Firehouse Subs has become a “great partner” in the community.
“It is through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and donations like this that allow the purchase of equipment that is oftentimes very difficult with limited municipal budgets,” he said.
The foundation was founded by Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, the founders of Firehouse Subs, in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. At that time, they provided food to first responders and survivors. After the experience, they decided they could do more to help people. Since 2005, the non-profit has raised $28 million for public safety organizations, including more than $299,000 in Wisconsin.