By Mitchell A. Skurzewski
REPORTER
On Thursday, May 9, Weinbrenner Shoe Company donated about 300 pairs of boots to the Northcentral Technical College’s School of Public Safety.
According to Bianca Boettcher, Weinbrenner Shoe Company entered into an exclusive distribution deal with LION Inc. recently, an international supplier of personal protective equipment, resulting in having 300 boots in-house. So, the company decided to give back to Merrill.
“We want to work closely with the public safety school, seeing as it is right here,” Boettcher, Weinbrenner Shoe Company Marketing Manager, said. “What better way to support and give back to the community?”
Weinbrenner shoes and boots are commonly worn by firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel.
According to Boettcher, Weinbrenner Shoe Company has been in Merrill since 1936 and is key for them to help the community.
“We employ almost 200 people and we are happy to support the community,” she said. “This donation will help those training at the school and goes to many volunteers who help keep the community safe.”
About 300 pairs retails at close to $30,000, according to Boettcher, which is no small donation.
“We have a lot of students coming through who become EMS workers at the technical college and we are fortunate to have (Weinbrenner) in our back yard,” said Kris Grod, Associate Dean of the School of Public Safety at NTC.
“This is no small donation, especially when public safety is involved, this are expensive. Also, being at NTC funding is precious and we are happy to receive this generosity from a local business.”