Kiwanis-firefighters boot drive to benefit Doernbecher

The Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet will sponsor its Second Annual Firefighters Boot Drive this Saturday and Sunday to raise money to help the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland treat and cure cancer in children.

Cathlamet Fire Department firefighters and emergency responders will be stationed at the Cathlamet Market on Main Street, and Wahkiakum County Fire Protection District 4 firefighters will be stationed at the Cathlamet Chevron on SR 4.

The drive, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, recalls the historic tradition of volunteer fire crews “passing the fireman’s boot” to solicit donations from the public to support community charities.

One hundred percent of all donations received will go to the Kiwanis Doernbecher Children’s Cancer Program (KDCCP), which has raised millions of dollars over several decades to fund post-doctoral level, cutting edge research.

Dozens of children from Wahkiakum County have benefited from treatment at Doernbecher over the years, said Kiwanis President Dick Swart.

Wahkiakum High School Key Club members are looking forward to following up the Boot Drive with a special appeal for donations to the KDCCP at the Mules' home basketball game on Saturday evening at Wahkiakum High School.

Results of the Boot Drive and Key Club effort will be announced at the 6:00 p.m. potluck Kiwanis meeting, to be held at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church meeting hall on February 19.

Plans call for a ceremonial “big check” to be presented to Kiwanis officials, including special visits by Kiwanis Pacific North West Region Governor, Greg Holland and Former Governor Frank Morehouse.