Students surpass fund raising goal

After several weeks of raising funds for Doernbecher’s Children Hospital in Portland, Wahkiakum High School Key Club President Ashley Silva said she’s excited that Wahkiakum students and community raised $3569.81, almost double last year’s total of $1800.

Silva told elementary and middle school students at the closing assembly Monday that students should aim at surpassing that next year.

The effort is part of a Doernbecher’s program that involves school youth raising money for the hospital in association with the Kiwanis Clubs. Silva, a junior, who wants to be an ophthalmologist, said raising money for the children’s hospital feels natural. Silva worked with Angie Pugh to build upon the district’s first effort last year.

This year, the high school Key Club created a broad range of activities to gather donations. Key clubs are clubs sponsored by Kiwanis Clubs, a service club that focuses on programs benefitting children.

Kiwanis also sponsors Builder’s Clubs, which are for middle school students.

Sales of Dolly heads, copies of the Doernbecher mascot, brought $77, pie in the face at the middle school, $125.25, pie in the face high school, $182.15, bracelets, $310, root beer floats, $349, and movie night $417.77, and the sales of teddy bears which will be delivered to patients netted $1128.15.

Wyatt Parker and Abby Buennagel were named King and Queen for their fund raising efforts Monday. All of the royalty, nominated by Wahkiakum High School staff for leadership, including Brandon Fudge, Sarah Phillips, Abby Buennagel, Wyatt Parker, Eva Vik, Eli McElroy, Dylan Hansen and Jonaka Heppler, as princes and princesses raised $993.49.

The community donations surprised the students. “We didn’t know they were so involved,” Silva said.

Pugh kept the elementary and middle school students guessing who would receive the pie in the face at the closing assembly at the high school.

Robby Garrett, Superintendent Bob Garrett’s son and school coach, received a pie in the face at the high school. “It was a blast. It was really fun till I lost,” he said.

He received a last minute donation of $100. “I’d have worn something else if I’d known. I have track practice,” he said.

The Oregon and southern Washington Kiwanis have supported the hospital for children since the 1980’s. They helped develop a bone marrow transplant facility and support clinical training and physicians training in pediatric hematology-oncology, according to the hospital website.

Pugh said people can feel good that funds they donate are earmarked to assist county residents.

Key Club members are planning to attend a Pajama Day party held for schools that have donated. They’re given T-shirts with lists of donor schools.

Silva said she was looking forward to seeing the hospital for the first time, and was proud to have her school on the shirt.

The biggest challenge for Silva and Pugh has been finding the time to organize the activities, but they say they are looking forward to next year.