Chiloquin Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Cook explains what the donation from Wilsonart will mean for his volunteers during a press conference on Thursday. Pictured left to right: Scott Siracusa, general manager Wilsonart; Joe Spendolini, president Klamath Community Leadership Foundation; Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber; Chief Mike Cook Chiloquin Fire and Rescue; Heather Harter, Executive Director at the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce; Captain Brian Bryson KCSO Search and Rescue. (Image, Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

Scott Siracusa, general manager Wilsonart announces an $8,000 donation to volunteer first responders during a press conference on Thursday. (Image, Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

Update: From Wilsonart PR, Wilsonart donated $4,100 to Chiloquin Volunteer Fire and $1900 to the Klamath Sheriffs Volunteer SAR program, $6,000 in total.

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KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The Klamath Community Leadership Foundation announced Thursday generous contributions from Wilsonart to assist two critical local volunteer organizations. The first contribution will assist volunteer firefighters in replacing and restoring materials and supplies damaged and exhausted in this year’s Bootleg and other wildfires. The second contribution is to aid the volunteer Search and Rescue organization within the Klamath County Sheriff’s office.

Wilsonart, a newly opened manufacturing company in Klamath Falls, will donate $8,000 jointly to both Chiloquin Fire and Rescue and the Klamath County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue.

Scott Siracusa, general manager of Wilsonart’s Klamath Falls facility, announced the contributions in a press conference with Joe Spendolini, President of the Klamath Community Leadership Foundation, Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber, Chiloquin Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Cook, Heather Harter Executive Director of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, and Captain Brian Bryson commander of KCSO Search and Rescue.

“As new members of the Klamath community, Wilsonart wanted to show our appreciation to these brave men and women working to keep us all safe and protect our property from damage or destruction in the wake of the Bootleg fire that started right here in Klamath County. The fire quickly grew to be the largest wildfire in the entire country at that time,” said Siracusa.

Siracusa also recognized the efforts of the Search and Rescue volunteer committee within the Klamath County Sheriff’s office.

Siracusa contacted Chiloquin fire chief Michael Cook and Klamath County Sheriff, Chris Kaber to get some ideas about what was needed and was surprised to learn how big the need is.

“I learned, at a bare minimum, it’s going to take about $12,000 to replace and replenish everything the firefighters used or wore out fighting fires this year just to get ready for next year’s wildfires. And the needs of Search And Rescue are currently more than $10,000 to outfit the volunteers with much-needed Side Scan Sonar and associated equipment.”

After fighting the 242 Fire last year and the Bootleg Fire this summer, firefighting supplies such as personal protection equipment used by the volunteer firefighters are either damaged or worn out and in need of replacement.

Cook said, “Our volunteer firefighters are selfless individuals that set aside everything in their lives to respond to these emergencies whenever they are needed. Knowing they are appreciated and supported by our community is so heartwarming and welcome. On behalf of our entire team, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Mr. Siracusa and Wilsonart for getting this fundraiser started with such a generous contribution.”

“The $4,500 donation from Wilsonart is a great help,” added Cook.

However, Chiloquin Fire and Rescue is in need of an additional $7,500 to properly replace the damaged PPE for their volunteer team. Who totaled over 11,000 hours of volunteer labor so far this year - on top of their normal full-time employment.

Sheriff Kaber announced that the donation by Wilsonart will be used to purchase a new winch for their updated side-scan sonar. The system is used to locate and rescue objects located underwater. Including but not limited to vehicles and drowning victims.

“The sonar can show images of the bottom of a lake,” said Bryson. “The device is often used to find drowning victims, but has been used to find a WWII aircraft in Clear Lake.”

Klamath County Sheriff Chris Kaber (Image, Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News)

Kaber added that Search and Rescue are most in need of replacing the communications vehicle used in SAR efforts. Kaber reported that the current vehicle is in terrible shape and the department has been trying to replace it over the last several years.

“A new vehicle would cost $150,000,” said Kaber. “The office has been able to secure about one-third of that through the normal budgeting process, so the unmet need would total about $100,000.”

SAR Does have several tools and vehicles available but more often than not, SAR volunteers use their own equipment when helping those in need. SAR Volunteer hours totaled over 10,600 in 2019 added Kaber.

Siracusa stated, “We are making a sizeable contribution with the intent of kick-starting what we hope will be a very successful fundraising effort resulting in filling the needs of these volunteer heroes to help them gear up before they are called on again.” He added, “please join us by sending your tax-deductible donations in support of our heroes to the Klamath Community Leadership Foundation.”

“Mr. Siracusa and Wilsonart have, once again, proven to Klamath that they are here to be a solid partner with our community,” said Spendolini. “It is incredibly heartwarming to see a new to Klamath business step-up without being asked to ease the pain and assist in the recovery of much-needed equipment and resources to help these brave men and women.”

“This is exactly what the Chamber is about,” added Harter. “Bringing organizations and people together to solve problems and make our community great. The Chamber created the Leadership Foundation back in 2008 to fill a need and to promote and encourage leadership traits within current and aspiring community leaders. We believe “giving” is an important trait that is commonly found in dedicated leaders. The volunteers that lead the Foundation look for ways to make a difference – here they saw an opportunity to team up with one of our Chamber members, Wilsonart, to help two organizations that are critical to the Basin.”

The need for supplies for the volunteer emergency responders is great. Wilsonart challenges other local businesses to join this effort by sending your tax-deductible donations in support of our heroes to Klamath Community Leadership Foundation, 205 Riverside Dr. Klamath Falls OR 97601.

The Klamath Community Leadership Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. The entire organization is made up of volunteers who receive no compensation from the organization, which means 100% of the money raised will be used for the purpose the donors intend their money to be used for.

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