By Special Guest Writer Marcie Bristor
9-1-1 Director
Sumner County 9-1-1 is located in Wellington, Kansas.
The dispatchers at Sumner County often found themselves helping callers/victims in any way they could (car seats, bus tickets, food etc.) So, in approximately 1998, it was not surprising when a group of dispatchers worked together on a plan to raise money to “adopt” a family at Christmas time.
What originally began with crafting Christmas-themed yard décor and raffling it off, has since transitioned through quartermania events and raffling TV’s and other large ticket items. Each year saving back enough to purchase the next years drawing item. This year the item of choice is a four-burner griddle grill. In addition to our large raffle item, businesses throughout the county have donated items to be drawn for in previous years.
Over the years, the dispatchers have worked together raising funds to adopt a family with food and gifts, pay bills, or buy prescriptions. The fundraiser typically raises between $1000- 2500, allowing us to help more than one family some years. Families are usually submitted by responders who have interacted with, and are familiar with, their need of assistance. When no families have been submitted, dispatchers chose to adopt multiple Angel Tree Kids and have added participating in random acts of kindness, handing out money to random citizens, and providing blankets to nursing homes. The families are chosen from different areas of the county each year. On the years that the money goes to the Angel Tree Kids or random acts, we spread the love throughout the entire county.
The fundraiser is normally done in the fall, but it was changed this year to target better participation, as well as a less crazy and financially impacted time for those who would like to purchase tickets.
We are shown a huge amount of support each year and are amazed at the continued support with the changes in the economy. This effort also allows us to bond and grow as a team caring for others BEYOND THE CONSOLE.
Fundraiser tickets are now available for purchase at $2.00 per ticket, or $10.00 for six tickets. Proceeds benefit Beyond the Console to help with Christmas for families in need of assistance in Sumner County, KS. The drawing will be held on August 31, 2022.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, please call Sumner County Emergency Communications at (620) 326-7374.
About the Author:
Marcie Bristor is the 9-1-1 Director at Sumner County Emergency Communications in Wellington, Kansas. She started her career in emergency communications in Sumner County in 1995, and she is the last of the original team members. Bristor worked as a dispatcher for two years before she was promoted to Watch Supervisor, a role she maintained before promoting to Deputy Director in 2017. In 2021, Bristor was named 9-1-1 Director. In addition to Bristor's regular duties, she is a Certified APCO PST1 Instructor and serves on the Kansas APCO Board. Coming from a family of first-responders but having no desire to respond to scenes, this was the perfect fit to join her family in helping and caring for others.
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