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Wisconsin Rapids council approves Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 2; Altman Construction donates funds

WFHR "Perspective" interview with Mayor Matt Zacker · February 19, 2026

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Summary

The Common Council approved contracts to install a Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 2 on West Grand Avenue and signed a contract with Altman Construction, which provided an in-kind donation of just over $6,000; organizers and local parish helped fundraise for the project.

The Wisconsin Rapids Common Council approved a contract to install a Safe Haven baby box at Fire Station 2 on West Grand Avenue, Mayor Matt Zacker said.

"Yesterday what we did was approve the contract to have the baby box built and work with the Safe Haven Baby Box Company and also signed the contract for Altman Construction," Zacker said. He noted that Altman Construction donated "a little over $6,000" in-kind toward construction of a wall opening and installation.

Zacker credited local organizers, including Linda Casper and Sue Smith from the county, and fundraising support from St. Peter and Paul Parish and online donations. He said the city chose the West Side fire station to ensure accessibility and to be among the northernmost Safe Haven locations in the state.

Zacker described the initiative as an emotional, community-driven safety measure intended to protect infants in crisis while acknowledging the hope that the box is never used.