From soapsuds to cash

Many Central Kitsap residents will use Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s emergency medical services (EMS) at one time or another.

EMS’s lifesaving work is funded in part by the Central Kitsap Medic One Foundation.

Shelly Young, of Simple Organizing Solutions, is hosting a car wash from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at All Star Lanes in Silverdale. Money raised at the event will be donated to the CK Medic One Foundation.

With the help of Olympic High School and Central Kitsap High School students, Young and the teens will wash cars and ask for cash or check donations. Checks must be written to “CK Medic One Foundation.”

“There’s so many wonderful charities to donate time and energy to, but I really wanted to find a charity that was local and one that the community could agree was really worthwhile to stand behind and support,” Young said.

CK Medic One was founded in 1996 and provides supplemental support for the EMS activities performed by CKFR for Central Kitsap residents. Property taxes provide primary funding for EMS activities, but the money does not stretch far enough. CK Medic One supplies the items that can’t be acquired through the CKFR budget.

“The tax money that CKFR collects doesn’t always purchase all of the little extras,” said Dr. Helen Butler, CK Medic One chairwoman. “We try to purchase some of those little extras for them.”

CK Medic One is a registered non-profit tax-exempt organization and receives funds through donations from individuals and businesses. Donations may be tax-deductible. Past donations have been used to purchase items such as advanced model stethoscopes, medical reference libraries at each of the paramedic-staffed fire stations, bicycles for the CKFR bike team, a marine depth finder, marine VHF radio and antenna and three survival suits for the CKFR rescue boat.

“I can’t imagine a single person in this community who doesn’t appreciate the fact that we can call upon 911 anytime we have an unexpected emergency,” Young said. “I was grateful to learn that the CK Medic One Foundation supports the increasing costs of medically related 911 calls to the residents of Central Kitsap.”

Butler is thrilled that Young is hosting a car wash to raise money for the CK Medic One Foundation.

“It’s a very nice thing that she’s doing for us and the community,” she said.

Young has put in a lot of work into planning the car wash and hopes people will open their hearts and wallets for the CK Medic One Foundation.

“I’ve always thought it would be a lot of fun to organize a car wash and raise money for a worthy cause,” she said. “I grew up here and I really support the work they’re (Medic One) doing.”

Young is still in need of more volunteers to help wash vehicles Saturday. Local businesses also are invited to contribute to the cause. Anyone interested in volunteering their time can contact Young at (360) 698-2309.

“The teens who are generously volunteering their summer fun time to help out can notate this charitable act on their resumés and the businesses who may come together to support this cause will hopefully get the recognition they deserve,” Young said.

For more information about the CK Medic One Foundation, call CKFR at (360) 447-3550.

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