Rhinelander community rallies behind Safe Haven Baby Box project

RHINELANDER – On July 13, the Rhinelander Common Council voted to approve a lease and service agreement with Safe Haven Baby Boxes Incorporated, clearing a key hurdle for a project that has drawn vocal support from local nonprofits, foster parents and faith leaders in recent months.

The council’s approval of proposed resolution 2026-62 authorizes Mayor Kris Hanus to sign the lease and service agreement, formalizing plans to install the anonymous newborn surrender device at the Rhinelander Fire Department.

The vote came after two public comments underscored the level of community backing the project has attracted since it was first pitched to the council in January.

Nicole Ziolkowski, one of two Oneida County foster parents who have led the local advocacy effort, told the council the need for the boxes “is more urgent than ever.” She pointed to a case two weeks earlier, on July 1, in which the body of a newborn was found abandoned in a portable toilet at a music festival in rural Michigan.

“It is a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when mothers in crisis feel they have nowhere to turn,” Ziolkowski said. “This is exactly the type of tragedy our project aims to prevent.”

Ziolkowski also shared financial updates on the group’s fundraising effort, though she cautioned that the figures remain pledges rather than funds in hand.

“A private community member has generously pledged up to $30,000 to fully cover the installation of the box,” Ziolkowski said.

Ruby’s Pantry has pledged $1,000 toward a maintenance and repair fund that will be managed jointly by the Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Calvary Baptist Church, Ziolkowski said. She added that other local nonprofits have reached out to Fire Chief AJ Johnson, herself and Pastor Rod Ankrom about contributing additional funds.

“To be absolutely clear, no funds have been accepted yet,” Ziolkowski said. “These are strictly pledges. However, they clearly illustrate how eager our community is to step in and cross the finish line.”

Ziolkowski thanked several people she credited with championing the project, including Johnson and Police Chief Josh Chiamulera.

“In a world that often feels divided, it is incredibly encouraging to see our community band together for such a worthy cause,” she said.

Casey Wagner, speaking on behalf of the Tri-County Council, urged the council to approve the agreement and confirmed her organization has signed a memorandum of understanding as a nonprofit partner alongside Calvary Baptist Church.

“As a part of that agreement, we have committed to covering the ongoing maintenance costs associated with the baby box,” Wagner said. “This means there will be no additional cost to taxpayers, while also ensuring this life-saving resource remains available for years to come.”

Wagner said the program offers a “safe, legal, and completely anonymous option for a parent who feels like they have nowhere else to turn” and called the organization’s financial commitment “small” relative to its potential impact.

The council in April approved a memorandum of understanding among the city, the Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Assault and Calvary Baptist Church to formalize the arrangement, with organizers emphasizing from the outset that the project would be funded entirely through private fundraising at no cost to taxpayers.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed at fire stations and allow parents to anonymously surrender infants under Wisconsin’s Safe Haven law. When a baby is placed inside, alarms sound immediately and emergency personnel are dispatched.

The initial installation cost for a Wisconsin site is $16,500, including a required video surveillance component, with an annual maintenance fee of $500. Organizers have set a fundraising goal of roughly $30,000 to cover installation and ongoing costs.