TREVOR, Wis. – In a heartfelt ceremony Monday afternoon, community members, officials, and first responders gathered outside the Salem Lakes Fire and Rescue station to celebrate the installation and blessing of Wisconsin’s fifth Safe Haven Baby Box — a secure, anonymous way for parents in crisis to safely surrender a newborn.

The box, located at 11252 254th Ct., is now fully operational, giving families in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois a life-saving alternative in their most desperate moments. It joins more than 340 similar installations across the country.

But behind this milestone wasn’t just policy or money — it was people. And none more so than Salem Lakes Firefighter and EMT Kenzie Gaede.

“Kenzie’s been instrumental in making this happen,” said Fire Chief Al Carr during his opening remarks. “She has worked tirelessly from the inception of this project all the way through to today.”

Gaede, who helped initiate the idea over a year ago, fundraised extensively and saw the project through every step of the process.

“I have pretty much been on this project since day one,” she told the crowd, before offering a blessing for the box. “Blessed be those who are needed to use it. Those who have supported us. Those that will be left in our lives through this box and trusted in our hands.”

Fire Chief Carr also earned praise for shepherding the project from an idea to reality, and for rallying support from donors and the community. The box was funded through a generous anonymous donation and installed with the help of many volunteers and contributors. According to a Safe Haven representative, the initial cost for a box is about $16,000, with an additional $4,000–$5,000 for installation.

Kenosha County Detective Tim Hackbarth also played a key role, helping coordinate with the anonymous donor — described as a quiet but generous “pillar of our community” — and delivering remarks on their behalf.

The event drew local dignitaries including State Rep. Amanda Nedweski, Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman, and representatives from Safe Haven Baby Boxes, a nonprofit founded in Indiana by Monica Kelsey. Safe Haven Executive Assistant Jessi Getrost praised the Salem Lakes Fire Department for their commitment and described the local team as “a great group of people who really represent Salem Lakes so well.”

According to the organization, 60 babies have been surrendered in Safe Haven Baby Boxes since 2017, with over 150 additional handoff surrenders via their national hotline, 1-866-99BABY1.

During her remarks, Nedweski reflected on the legislative effort that made the boxes legal in Wisconsin, thanking Rep. Ellen Schutt who authored Act 79 allowing baby boxes and praising Salem Lakes for being one of the first communities to act.

“This is a symbol of compassion, safety, and community,” said Chief Carr. “Together, we have created something that will save lives and offer hope.”

The Trevor location is the fifth such box in Wisconsin and is expected to serve not only local residents but also parents in nearby northern Illinois, given the proximity to the state line.

For more information about Safe Haven Baby Boxes or how to bring one to another community, visit shbb.org.