Jill Mahler
For The New Era
Volunteers from the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District went door to door in Sweet Home neighborhoods Thursday evening, April 30, in an effort “To Fill the Boot” with donations for two burn victims.
Two local women, Courtney Lake, 21, and Lynn Damewood, 31, were severely burned when when fuel being poured onto a backyard fire splashed onto surrounding individuals. While four others were less severely burned, Lake and Damewood suffered critical burns.
Both women were taken to the Oregon Burn Center at Emanuel Legacy Hospital in Portland. Damewood is currently in an induced coma after completing skin grafts. Lake also received third-degree burns over multiple parts of her body and is undergoing the skin grafting process.
With fire sirens wailing, 19 volunteers split up to cover the area of Strawberry Loop and finished at the beginning of 29th Avenue. Resident Kristie Stockman said she enjoyed seeing the Fire Department personnel as they made their way door to door.
“I think it’s awesome that the community is really coming together,” Stockman said.
Chad Shuster was also impressed.
“I wish this town could do more activities like this,” he said. Paramedic Tim Walker said it was “a great opportunity for the community to show its support towards the girls.”
As the engines slowly pulled along each avenue, children ran from their houses, excited to join in. Firefighter Dennis Huenergardt told how a young boy dumped out the pennies from his piggybank into the boot. In fact, many young boys and girls were eager to donate the money from their piggybanks.
Youngsters were taken on brief rides and were given stickers to commemorate the event. In just two hours, the Fire Department raised $2,388 in bills alone before the bucket of change was counted, which pushed the total to $2,615.54.
The “Fill the Boot” run is just one of the fund-raisers the Sweet Home Fire Department is planning for Lake and Damewood. Donations can still be made at the Sweet Home Fire Department.
“The boot drive is just an example of how Sweet Home takes care of each other,” Chief Mike Beaver said. “Even with how poor the economy is, people are still willing to open up their pocketbooks for the girls.”
€“ Emily Peabody contributed to this story.