10 Year-old Starts Huge Donation Drive for Kansas Wildfire Relief Efforts
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – What started as a small gesture for those in Kansas affected by the string of wildfires that hit earlier this year has turned into a huge effort from area businesses and individuals.
According to the Kansas Farm Bureau, March wildfires burned over 700,000 acres in 21 counties, thousands of cattle, homes and ranches were lost to the blazes. When 10 year-old Charlotte Wilson heard about the fires, she wanted to help out.
Wilson originally approached her local 4-H group, County Kids 4-H Club, to help and it just grew from there.
“It went from the 4-H club to the Stutsman County 4-H to the NDSU Extension Service in Stutsman County and now it’s bigger than we ever thought it would be,” stated Sarah Wilson, Charlotte’s mother.
A semi will be packed with donated items and needed materials for the Kansas farmers to get ahead start on rebuilding their lives. Charlotte pointed out that there are numerous items that will be sent to those in need.
Charlotte says several projects will be donated by Stutsman County 4-Hers and many others are helping provide assistance too. Stutsman County Farm Bureau will send purchased fencing supplies, Glinz Transfer is providing a semi, fuel and driver to deliver the donations, JP Wiest is providing his 53′ van trailer, UPS Store is giving packaging materials for donations and Stutsman County Fair is allowing temporary donation storage.
Wilson stated that there are several ways anyone can get involved. They can donate newly purchased, homemade items, or 4-H projects in the Russ Melland Building at the Stutsman County Fairgrounds, write encouraging notes to donation recipients at the booth, donate fencing supplies, or send monetary donations.
Donations can be made out to:
Stutsman County Farm Bureau
P.O. Box 1490
Jamestown, ND 58401
Put “Wildfire Relief” in the check memo.
The donations will then be trucked down to Kansas in the month of July, all by donated time, resources and efforts.
For more information or with any questions, contact Sarah Wilson, SCFB Board Member, at 701-269-4438 or email wilsonfarmnd@gmail.com.
