The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has issued a news release warning citizens about a recent fundraising effort that can be misleading. Professional law enforcement and firefighting associations regularly raise funds through telemarketing, but can often mislead donors to think that their donation will directly help their local community, when frequently, this is not the case. The caller may say that the money is to support local departments, but that does not necessarily mean services in your town. Local volunteer fire departments usually raise funds locally, and do not benefit from donations made to these professional organizations. If you receive a fundraising call, make sure to ask the caller specific questions about who will receive the donations and how the money will be distributed. If you'd like to donate to your local fire department, give in person at the station or call and ask for information about their next fundraising event. For more information or to report a complaint, visit the DATCP website.

Recycling Opportunities

There are several upcoming opportunities in our area to dispose of non-traditional garbage. Silver Lake and Paddock Lake will be offering free disposal of electronics/appliances and Kenosha County will have an event for free disposal of hazardous waste. This is a great opportunity to properly dispose of unwanted items and chemicals that are not allowed in landfills. See below for specific information about each event:

• Silver Lake Citizens for Growth will host recycling events this week for disposal of metals and electronics. Bring your old appliances, cell phones, computer equipment, and car batteries to the Community Baptist Church metal garage on 4th Street along the railroad tracks. Drop off items 4/26 from 4-8pm, 4/27 from 3-9pm, or 4/28 from 8am-4pm. No appliances containing freon will be accepted.

• Kenosha County will host an event for free environmentally-friendly disposal of hazardous waste products. Acceptable items include cleaning products, bug sprays, oil based paints, vehicle fluids, fluorescent bulbs, pool or garden/outdoor chemicals, etc. The one-day event will be Saturday, 5/5 from 8am-1pm at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol. For more information including a full list of accepted items, call Kenosha County Emergency Management at 262-605-7900.

• Paddock Lake will also host a free county-wide recycling event for old electronics on Saturday, 5/19 from 9am-2pm at the Paddock Lake Village Hall. Bring your unwanted TV's, computers, monitors, stereos, printers, phones, fax machines, etc. for proper disposal. For more information, contact the Paddock Lake Village Hall at 262-843-2713.

Upcoming Boy Scout Breakfast Fundraiser

Boy Scout Troop 385 and Cub Scout Pack 385 of Brighton, Bristol, Paris and Providence will be hosting a breakfast fundraiser on Saturday May 12th.  The event will be a pancake, egg, and sausage breakfast and silent auction. The auction will feature gift certificates, sporting event tickets, gift baskets, and other items to bid on. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children (those 4 and under are free). The event will be at Bristol Grade School from 7am-12pm. Mark your calendar to support our local scout troops.