Kiwanis' Doernbecher fund raising sees spectacular results

The Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet celebrated recent successes in raising money and community awareness for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Cancer programs at its April 3 meeting. Attendance was swelled by a contingent of six Wahkiakum County Fire Protection District #4 volunteers, James Alexander, Nathan Miller, Major Thomas, Samantha Wilson, Captain Mike Wright, and led by District Fire Chief Jim Wilson. Other guests included Kiwanis Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Program (KDCCP) representatives Bill and Claudia Eagle, Kiwanis Division 42 Lieutenant Governor Debi Borgstrom, Cathlamet business owner Debra Howie, Linda Kissinger of the Clatskanie Kiwanis Club, Cathlamet Woman’s Club President Nadine Aldinger, Wahkiakum High School Key Club President-elect Selena Ramirez, and Wahkiakum Community Network Executive Director Lia Sealund, Board of Directors Chair Tammy Peterson, and Public Relations Director Kellyn Pakenen Hazen.

Kiwanis Club program coordinator Dick Swart reported that the joint Kiwanis-Fire District #4 Boot Drive netted $1,435.67, plus another $630.82 from Kiwanis gift basket auctions and local retail donation jars, for the KDCCP long-term cancer research program. Display and real checks in these amounts were presented to Bill Eagle.

Eagle’s acceptance of these checks was highlighted by an account of how the Doernbecher cancer research doctors have reduced cancer mortality in children over the decades, thanks to the generosity of communities supporting the efforts of Kiwanis Clubs and their partners. Chief Wilson and his volunteers expressed appreciation for the opportunity to help a cause they are excited to support.

Swart also reported on additional successes of the Kiwanis Club affiliated Wahkiakum High School Key Club in raising $3,286.35 for the Doernbecher Kids Making Miracles Program, which provides immediate support for young cancer patients and their families. The club members and guests gave an ovation of thanks to these teen leaders for mobilizing the grade, middle, and high school students to run nine projects in early March to accomplish this remarkable result. Special recognition also went to high school adult mentors and faculty advisors Jeff Rooklidge, Angie Pugh, and Joyce Wilson.

The Kiwanis-Fire District-Schools partnership celebration segued into the Wahkiakum Community Network’s main program for the evening on the new Neighborhood Information and Community Exchange (NICE) program. This effort seeks to connect people seeking help or new skills with others who want to help or teach skills, share information, or provide other support where there are no monetary or cost aspects. Examples include job search techniques, gardening skills, technology, artistic efforts, etc. The new NICE website went live on April 2 and can be accessed by visiting the Network website at http://www.wahkiakumcommunitynetwork.org, and clicking on NICE.

Those attending the meeting expressed enthusiasm for Kiwanis’ efforts to partner with other community programs and urged continued effort to work together for a better community.

Information about Kiwanis Club programs can be obtained from Trinidad Medina at 795-3118 or Dick Swart at 795-8444. Questions about Key Club projects can be referred to Jeff Rooklidge at 795-3271. Information about NICE and other Wahkiakum Community Network programs can be obtained from Kellyn Pakenen Hazen at 360-484-7115. Information about Fire District #4 can be obtained from Chief Jim Wilson at 795-3718.