photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

Lawrence Police Lt. Myrone Grady, from left, Police Chief Rich Lockhart, Salvation Army Lt. Landon McClintock, Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus and Fire Chief Rich Llewellyn ring bells in support of The Salvation Army on Dec. 15, 2023, at Walmart, 3300 Iowa St.

Lawrence’s police and fire chiefs volunteered time on Friday to ring the bell and gather donations for The Salvation Army in a friendly “competition” to see which organization could raise the most in support of the charitable organization.

Chief Rich Lockhart with the Lawrence Police Department and Fire Chief Rich Llewellyn with Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical both teamed up with Santa and Mrs. Claus to gather donations along with other members of each department. Both chiefs were in high spirits despite a chilly rain falling on the festivities.

The departments had emergency service vehicles parked at each entrance at Walmart, 3300 Iowa St., throughout the day. The money raised will go to support The Salvation Army of Douglas County, Corps Community Center, 1202 E. 23rd St.

“You know we’re really excited to come out here and battle our fire department comrades,” Lockhart said. “And at the end of the day, The Salvation Army and all the work they do is a big winner.”

Llewellyn said, “We’re just happy to have the opportunity to come out here and work with our partners at LKPD and participate in the event that means so much to the community. The community supports us, and we love to return that support.”

Salvation Army Lt. Landon McClintock said that he and his wife, Lt. Megan McClintock, who run the charity’s services in the Lawrence area, were thankful for the department’s support during the holiday season.