Zachary Oliver was going to ask for Legos for his seventh birthday.
He already had a dump truck, firefighters, and a bionic spider, and was poised to complete his collection with some bulldozer parts.
He'd also been eyeing some toy cars.
Yet when his mother came to sit with him on the couch one afternoon last year, holding a red catalog, the pre-schooler's birthday plans changed.
She had a gift brochure from World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, and inside contained pictures of kids from all over the globe. In one shot, a boy in Africa held a goat, smiling. In another, a girl in Mongolia stood by a canvas tent. As the two flipped through the pages, a host of images sprang forth from the kids' arms: chickens, ducks, dairy cows, schoolbooks, tents, clothes, carrots, rice.
All were gifts Zachary could buy for children in need, his mom told him. She explained many of those kids were hungry or cold and, if he wanted to, he could help raise money so they could have some of those things.
Each page was organized into groups with different packages.
Zachary liked the idea.
In the coming weeks the tiny charity worker, with the help of his mom, Dawna, began raising money for his page - number 35. If they reached his target goal of $590, he could buy an irrigation pump, a fishing kit, two goats, two Bibles, part of a well, malaria protection, educational support, and a supply of food for children.
Zachary was up for the challenge. He raised the first $115 by planning a birthday party and asking for donations instead of gifts. During Goldendale's Christmas Bazaar, he helped his mom sell crafts, which brought in another $150. Next, he gathered pledges through his church and other social organizations.
That was all last year. The miniature aid worker has since recruited his 4-year-old sister, Zowie, to help, and they are almost at their World Vision goal.
Additionally, they have taken on other causes, including the Backpacks for Kids program and helping with a local infant's medical expenses.
On March 14, they have organized a spaghetti feed at the Assembly of God Church.
Goldendale optometrist Dr. Jim Ogden, who is involved in various charities himself, came up with the idea of giving them chef's hats to keep it fun.
When asked how he feels about raising money for kids, Zachary tossed his hands into the air and yelled, "Good!"
"I feel happy because I can help other people," he added cheerfully, before running off to chase his sister - in true seven-year-old form.
"It makes you kind of proud as a parent," said Dawna watching them. "They're thinking of others besides themselves."
The mother, who has been involved with charities such as the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life, grew teary-eyed as she talked about them.
"We go to church and they don't understand some of it. You try to explain it the best you can," she explained, mentioning how Zowie made cupcakes for Jesus' birthday.
"I take it as a blessing, you know," she said. "It makes you feel like they're going the right direction."
Extension can't survive cuts, says director
Local WSU office faces dramatic reductions
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
Regional directors warned this week that if cuts currently being proposed to Washington State University Extension (WSE) go through, local programs will not be able to survive.
According to Susan Kerr, Klickitat County's extension director, the numbers recently drafted do not leave enough money in regional offices to keep most programs in operation.
"We're fighting for our very lives," said Kerr. "It will be the permanent end of Extension as we know it."
At present, the university has been asked to draw up two possible budgets: one based on a 12 percent reduction and the other based on an 18 percent reduction. In both scenarios, the extension program will receive what Kerr called a "disproportionate" cut.
In the first example (12 percent), administrators at WSE would lose 49 percent of its funding. If the second (18 percent) figure pushes through, the extension program would be down 75 percent.
That, according to Kerr, is "not survivable."
"I can't envision what would remain," she said.
The director pointed to things like 4H Club, Master Gardeners, Food Sense nutrition education, Small Grains Variety Trials, WSE Leaning Center, and numerous workshops, presentations and seminars that would suffer tremendously.
With Extension funding spread over 39 counties - each of which has its own office - a 75 percent cut would likely involve hundreds of faculty layoffs, Kerr said, as well as numerous office closures.
Although certain programs might continue through campus-based initiatives or online formats, she said the changes would devastate rural areas like Klickitat County.
Beyond that, Kerr said the university has a legal obligation to maintain certain Extension or outreach programs, due to its status as a land-grant university. Institutions of this nature must provide "teaching, research and service."
In an email sent out last Thursday to Extension staff, WSU president Elson Floyd emphasized nothing has been finalized.
"We are fully aware that a number of concerns are being raised about possible budget outcomes, particularly in the WSU Extension community," said Floyd. "We are writing to assure you that no final decisions have been made about cuts in any program, service or unit at this time.
"Rest assured that your viewpoints are being carefully considered as we respond to this financial crisis," the email concluded.
Last month, the Board of Regents signed a resolution detailing its list of funding priorities. Rather than highlighting public service programs, Kerr said, the document pointed to doctoral programs and graduate education as top items.
Currently, the Extension program receives about five percent of the university budget, or $15 million. However, through grants, matching funds, and other sources, program administrators turn that into $53 million.
Kerr said the fact is a testament to the cost-effectiveness of the Extension program.
At present, she and other regional administrators have been petitioning the university to keep Extension a priority. They have also been doing their best to educate the public and respond to questions.
She noted, however, that ultimately it is an internal decision made by the university. County commissioners, state legislators, or other elected officials are not the decision-makers in this situation.
She noted, however, that the university has so far heard a lot of feedback.
"The campus has been receiving a lot of public outcry," said Kerr. "There's been an especially large outcry from Klickitat County."
A final budget decision will likely be reached by early April.
Four-year-old Life-Flighted from KVH
By Rachel Cavanaugh
Editor, The Sentinel
A four-year-old girl from Goldendale is recovering from head injuries in a Portland hospital after being transported by Life Flight on Sunday.
According to reports, the toddler was riding in a car with her mother when the vehicle pulled into Mt. View Shell Station to put air in the tires.
Goldendale Police Chief Rick Johnson said they stopped near the pump and the girl climbed into the front seat.
Details are unclear, but she apparently tried to reach for the door as her mother was backing up the car and fell out.
The vehicle ran over her and, according to Johnson, she sustained serious head injuries and bruising.
"[The] door opened up," said Johnson. "Mom was backing up and ran over her. Unfortunately, that's how it happened this time."
The Goldendale Police Department responded around 9:30 a.m. and the girl was taken immediately to the Klickitat Valley Health hospital (KVH), where crews put her on the Life Flight transport.
As of Monday, Johnson said he believed she was still hospitalized in stable condition.
At least two other children were in the vehicle.
Bickleton Council to host public meeting
The Bickleton Community Council held their monthly meeting last Thursday, at the Market Street Café.
Topics on the agenda included law enforcement and economic development, although coordinators said several guests were absent.
Next Monday, Mar. 9, the council will meet to discuss Bickleton's future and goals in a public forum.
Input will be used to update the Community Action Plan.
Council secretary Rinna McHugh said the group encourages members of the community to come to get their opinions heard.
The group is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Market Street Café.
