Plover fire chiefs sacrifice hair for United Way

By Brandi Makuski

The next few months will be a little chilly for three Plover firefighters.

Members of the Plover Fire Department were challenged last year to participate in the United Way of Portage County’s annual LIVE UNITED campaign. Their incentive to donate funds was tiered: if the department had 40 percent participation and raised $1,671, Assistant Chief Tim Cisewski would shave his trademark mustache, which he’s had for more than 30 years.

If 60 percent of the department participated and raised at least $1,893, Deputy Chief Ken Voss would get his head shaved. At 80 percent, with at least $2,116 raised, Chief Mark Deaver would go hairless.

PFD raised over $6,000, with participation from virtually every member of the department.

The three were shorn on Jan. 22 by employees from the Chop Shop Barber Shop, where Deaver is a regular customer, and before a large crowd of department members, village staff, and family.

The department will be honored, along with others who donated to the cause, during the United Way’s recognition luncheon on Feb. 12.