Nicholas Welgat became the Chief of the Kewanee Police Department in 2020 and has changed the police department in a positive direction by making the department more open and honest with the public. You will often see Kewanee Police Officers playing ball with kids on the playground or talking with citizens on the street. When Chief Welgat found out he had Cancer, he let the community know with an announcement on his personal Facebook page. His family and friends immediately began forming plans to help him and his family pay for medical bills, travel costs, lost wages, etc., but the community jumped into action as well to help Chief Welgat in his battle against Cancer. Most recently, Beck’s gas stations in Kewanee pumped gas for tips and donated 10 cents per gallon of gas sold at both locations on Saturday, August 12th. Beck’s announced on their Facebook page that they are donating $3,000 to the Welgat Family, which includes $500 from fuel sales and $2,500 in tips from Beck’s employees pumping fuel. “We are grateful for the generosity from the community and out employees who helped make this event a huge success”, Beck’s said in their Facebook post. Also on Saturday, Rosa Rushing, with help from family and friends, collected $4,859 in donations for cotton candy to help Nick Welgat and Chris Woods with their fight against Cancer. Good’s Furniture donated $3,045 of the total and patrons left $1,814 in tips. Chris Woods is a retired Kewanee Police Officer fighting Cancer as well. You can still help Nick and his family by donating to the goFundMe. Below are listed numerous financial options to help the Welgat Family but a kind word or gesture will also go a long way. You can also donate directly to the Welgat Family at the Kewanee Police and Fire Departments. The Kewanee School District is honoring Nick Welgat and Chris Woods on August 17, 2023, at 5:30 PM in Brockman Gym to thank “our local heroes Nick Welgat and Chris Woods for their years of service and partnership in supporting KCUD 229 students”.
Chief Nick Welgat announced his diagnosis with Stage 4 Lung Cancer on 13 July, 2023. The cancer has since metastasized to his brain so Nick Welgat is undergoing Radiation Treatments to his brain. Chemotherapy treatments are on hold until after his appointment with the Mayo Clinic on August 17th in case there are any clinical trials Nick could qualify for. Nick Welgat said he had no symptoms and felt great, besides neck pain. Nick and Michelle often post about how grateful they are for all the support and help, even a simple task like mowing the grass can go a long way. Anyone who knows Nick knows that his wife and kids mean the world to him. Chief Welgat said side effects from the radiation are causing nausea, headaches and exhaustion, but he said is doing ok considering everything he is going through. A Caring Bridge page was started by his family to keep family, friends and the community updated on Nick’s journey.
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