Highland Fire Department

HIGHLAND EXTENDS SAFE HAVEN 

FOR PARENTS, NEWBORNS IN NEED

When Highland’s Baby Box received both a blessing and dedication June 28, it was ready to receive its first infant. It was cause for joy and more than a few tears from the family of William “Bill” Timmer, Highland’s beloved fire chief who was the inspiration for the project. Chief Timmer died August 14, just 10 months before the project could be completed. 

Rotary President Barry Levin, said it was Timmer, who broached the idea, suggesting that a partnership between the Rotary and Fire Department would be key to building the secure infant device and becoming part of the Safe Haven network. “I had a conversation with Chief Timmer one year ago, asking him how the Rotary could help,” Levin said. “His response was immediate: He believed it was essential for our town to have a baby box, where infants could be placed anonymously by parents who simply could not care for them. Using proceeds from our annual Rotary corn roasts and dollars allocated from the Rotary Regional Fund, we were determined to make it happen.” 

Bonnie Timmer said her husband would have been thrilled to have attended the blessing. “This was important to Bill. I know he is smiling proudly today.”

Bonnie Timmer (third from left) is surrounded by the key players – State Rep. Mike Andrade, Highland Rotary President Barry Levin, Highland Fire Chief Mike Pipta, Garber Chevrolet’s Craig Blacklidge and Rotary Secretary Richard Underkofler – who fulfilled her late husband’s mission to have a Safe Haven Baby Box installed at Highland’s Main Fire Station.