By Ann McCreary
About 85 college students from a Christian campus organization are spending their spring break helping with post-fire recovery in the Methow Valley and other areas impacted by the Carlton Complex Fire.
Among them is Jason Smith, a University of Washington senior from Pateros, who has personal experience with loss from the wildfires. He is the son of Phil and Marlene Smith, who lived in the parsonage next to the Pateros Community Church, where Phil was pastor.
Although the fire spared the church, all the houses surrounding it — including the parsonage — burned to their foundations.
“A very interesting thing happens when you lose all your material possessions. You can either sit in the ashes, or understand there is a rhyme and reason to it,” Smith said this week. “This has been an incredible experience for me, learning that … my circumstances shouldn’t dictate my joy or attitude toward life.”
Smith joins about 65 University of Washington students who are members of CRU, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, who arrived Monday (March 23) to clear brush, haul trash and supply whatever muscle power is needed to prepare home sites for reconstruction.
Another 20 students who belong to CRU from Oregon State University and additional students from Wenatchee Valley College are joining in the effort.
“We’ll be clearing trash and brush,” Smith said. “I know there’s a whole lot to be done. Hopefully we can make an impact.”
The students will be staying at North Shore Bible Church in Manson, bedding down on the floor on pads and sleeping bags.
“A little bit of roughing it is a good reminder that we’re here to serve,” said Erin Dienst, a staff member of CRU at University of Washington. “Jason has been one of our student leaders. We’re happy to help his community.”
The students are among hundreds of volunteers from faith-based and charitable organizations that are expected to come to Okanogan County to help with recovery and rebuilding in the wake of last summer’s devastating wildfires.
Of the approximately 300 residences lost in the fires and resulting mudslides, 42 were identified through a survey last year as uninsured or underinsured. The Carlton Complex Long Term Recovery Group has begun a campaign to gather resources to rebuild them, and this month hired a construction manager and volunteer coordinator to facilitate the rebuilding process.
