WHAT WERE THE CHILDREN DOING?

WHAT WERE THE CHILDREN DOING?

During most disasters children are secluded from the harsh realities as well as possible.

On March 22, 2014, 10:47 a.m., the Highway 530 Mudslide swallowed the tiny community of Hazel.

Shortly after the slide hit, those people living EAST of the slide responded.

During the grueling day as hope flared then dwindled, the people from the small town of Darrington and the surrounding area east of the mudslide, labored to rescue those trapped.

What were the children doing?

Whatever was needed! Our young people immediately responded to the disaster.

Some joined the adults on the debris field, rescuing survivors.

Some worked at the Community Center preparing a hot meal for those slogging through the mud slurry and for the stunned and devastated city of Darrington and the surrounding area.

The next day and for many days thereafter, our youth continued their heroic efforts:

They packed lunches, sometimes hundreds of lunches

Helped prepare meals and then helped to serve them

Wrapped utensils to be used during meals

Worked on the debris field

Did welfare checks on older citizens

Cleaned houses for volunteers and displaced families to stay in

Unloaded trucks of donations

Shelved those donations

Delivered food and other necessities to families

Swept floors

Helped affected families move into temporary homes

Raised money and donated it to the victims

Washed fire trucks

Helped with animal care and animal food distribution

Wrote and performed a song of hope and strength for the people of Darrington

Drummed and “laid a blanket” ( a Native American ceremony performed by the Sauk-Suiattle People) for donations for the affected families

Did whatever was asked of them without complaint

How do I know this? I was the Darrington Volunteer Registrar during the disaster. Some of our youth worked as many as 15 hours a day, day-after-day. In the end, our young people donated over 3,000 hours of effort. And these are only the youth I know about! Many others worked but never registered with me.

Are we proud of our youth?

You betcha!

Our young people, ranging in age from Cub Scouts to seniors in high school, ARE the

DARRINGTON DO-ERS!

Thanks to all of them the recovery efforts were supported. Tired and disheartened and grief-stricken people received food, shelter, and other types of assistance as well as a renewal of hope.

These young people rock!

Do you have a story of young people who rock? Would love to hear it! Leave a comment!

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5 thoughts on “WHAT WERE THE CHILDREN DOING?

  1. Nancy Sno. Co Information office Darrington

    Aya we meet on a bus this morning, to pay our respect and have a moment of silence for the misfortune of that day. I am glad we did. We need more youth in the world like these fine young citizens. Thank you for bringing them to my attention.

    Reply
    1. Aya Walksfar

      Nancy, So glad we connected. Yes, the Darrington youth did themselves proud during that trying time. It is nice to know that in spite of all the bad we hear about kids–and some of them out there shooting other kids–there are good kids, too.

      On Sat, May 31, 2014 at 2:31 PM, Aya Walksfar, Author wrote:

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      Reply
  2. Joyce Hertzoff

    Anyone who’s lost faith in the youth of this country should read this. What great kids!

    Reply
    1. Aya Walksfar

      Yeah, Joyce, they are. I had the privilege to meet some of them. Really did give me renewed hope about the young people of our country. Like everyone else, I’ve heard so much about the bad ones!

      On Mon, May 26, 2014 at 7:56 PM, Aya Walksfar, Author wrote:

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      Reply

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