Turning $225,000 in gift cards into positive police interactions, lifting communities statewide

Almost nine years ago, Katie Connell noticed how the audience reach of the Q90FM Christian radio station serves virtually the same 13-county market where Community First Credit Union has its 25 branch locations.

 “We’re just a small ministry in De Pere that’s been using Community First for our banking for many years,” said Connell, Executive Director for Lakeshore Communications, the owner of Q90. It was July 2016 when Connell first came up with the idea to give police officers gift cards during the holidays to share with individuals and families who might be struggling.

On Dec. 3, Katie gathered together with over 100 of her closest law enforcement friends to kick off the ninth year of Police Lights of Christmas, a labor of love by Q90FM that makes a meaningful difference in communities throughout much of Wisconsin. 

Connell gets choked up talking about the generous and amazing “power of community” that enables the small ministry to raise $225,000 this year to give gift cards to 75 different police agencies to give out over the holidays and beyond.

That community outreach initiative – Q90FM’s Police Lights of Christmas – has blossomed tremendously, raising over $1 million since 2016. Those funds are used to supply squad cars and officers with gift cards to share throughout Northeast and North Central Wisconsin along with drawstring bags with hygiene and personal items plus hats and gloves all donated by generous sponsors.

 Connell’s idea was to give officers an opportunity for a positive interaction with the public they often deal with under not so positive circumstances. The police chiefs in Appleton and Green Bay loved the concept and Police Lights of Christmas was started around Thanksgiving in 2016.

Community First has been onboard from the very beginning. “It’s really, really great that anybody in Oshkosh, the Fox Valley and all the way up to Green Bay has a convenient place to donate,” she said.

Shared purpose

“When you’re calling Community First about a community initiative, I just knew it was a great marriage,” Connell said. “It’s a community of people that truly do put their Community First.”

The outreach partnership is still going strong with great support from other major sponsors, including Kolosso Toyota, Kwik Trip, Festival Foods, Culver’s, Walmart, Scheels and Cousins Subs.

Besides a cash donation as a sponsor, marquee messages and in-branch posters, another way Community First supports the Lights of Christmas mission involves broadcasting Spread the Love radio messages encouraging members – and the public – to stop by and make donations.

“Part of the mission of this program is to show our officers how appreciated they are – both through the community events we host throughout the year and then through the handoff event,” Connell said. 

Honoring officers

“Q90FM is truly blessed and honored to help our courageous and committed law enforcement officers help others in need,” said Lakeshore Communications President Lee Dudek, who is also Board Chairman for Q90FM and among those who helped get the station started over 30 years ago.

“This community-focused ministry has not only blessed many neighbors in need, but also the officers who extend their caring hearts into the communities they serve,” Dudek said. “Partnering with Community First has added to the impact Police Lights of Christmas has had and will have in the future.”

Connell loves how her credit union continues to be so invested in helping others – just like Q90FM. “Community First found a way to help us spread community love throughout the region,” said Connell. “It’s been a great relationship.”

At the Dec. 3 handoff event, Community First’s Cathy Mutschler (VP of Community Relations) told officers that Q90FM’s Police Lights of Christmas is “so exceptional in so many ways” and a favorite cause of the credit union’s 159,000 member-owners.

“We sponsor this program as a thank you to you for the difference you make every day,” Mutschler said. “Like you, we believe in putting community first.”

“As a credit union, we are not-for-profit with a people-helping-people philosophy and that’s what you all do,” she told the officers. “Our support allows Q90 to buy the gift cards, to donate the gift cards to give to you, to give to people in your community. Together we’re all really just lifting up our communities, building community, making Northeast Wisconsin and now a huge chunk of Wisconsin, a better place to live, work and thrive.”

Community First Credit Union congratulates Lakeshore Communications Inc. and Q90FM for over three decades of broadcasting as a nonprofit, listener-supported radio station!

If you are looking for flexible financial products, creative, individualized solutions, and local market expertise, contact Community First’s Business Services Team. Our professional staff is well-equipped to serve your company, non-profit organization, or municipality with expert guidance as you pursue your dreams.

Police Lights of Christmas Community Outreach:

2024 – 75 Police agencies - $225,000 in gift cards & 1000 backpacks

2023 - 70 Police agencies - $190,000 in gift cards & 1000 backpacks

2022 - 55 Police agencies - $185,000 in gift cards & 1000 backpacks

2021 - 50 Police agencies - $165,000 in gift cards & 1000 backpacks

2020 - 30 Police agencies - $100,000 in gift cards & 750 backpacks

2019 -25 Police agencies - $75,000 in gift cards & 750 backpacks

2018 - 20 Police agencies - $50,000 in gift cards & 600 backpacks

2017 - 5 Police agencies - $25,000 in gift cards & 250 backpacks

2016 - 2 Police agencies - $10,000 in gift cards & 100 backpacks