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Wednesday, March 5, 2014 | 75 cents
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Sentimental Journeys bring dreams to life East Pierce firefighters donate time to terminally ill By Theresa De Lay
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Sports
Sumner’s basketball season ends Page 3
Weather The forecast for today, Wednesday, calls for heavy rain with a high near 55 and lows to 43. Thursday continues with rain and highs to 53. There is a chance of rain Friday and continuing through Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid 50s and lows to 41.
Staff Writer
After several years of hard work, a group of determined community members have founded the nonprofit East Pierce Fire and Rescue Foundation. East Pierce Fire and Rescue provides a multitude of services to the communities it serves, but as a tax-based entity, its resources are susceptible to depletion. The foundation provides funding to bridge East Pierce’s financial gaps. It currently focuses on three initiatives, one of which is a pilot program called Sentimental Journeys. Sentimental Journeys is a collaborative effort between the foundation, East Pierce and Good Samaritan Home
Health & Hospice to provide terminally ill patients with the chance to embark on a journey of their choice. The program has facilitated three journeys since it began in January. Most patients have simple dreams that seem impossible because of the need to constantly access medical equipment and medications, according to Teresa McCallion, program director and foundation president. East Pierce provides a medic unit for transportation and the foundation reimburses the cost. The units are staffed by offduty firefighter paramedics and firefighter EMTs. Firefighters aren’t typically versed in palliative care, but those who participate in Sentimental Journeys receive special training to assist hospice patients. Destinations may include sporting events, a loved one’s wedding, church, or
even to see the wildflowers in bloom on Mount Rainier, McCallion said. For example, a Bonney Lake woman desired one last lunch with her family at their favorite restaurant in Gig Harbor. Family members are encouraged to attend and are given pictures to commemorate the experience. The presence of trained personnel provides emotional support by easing any fears they have regarding a sick loved one venturing into the world, McCallion said. Sentimental Journeys is a pilot program inspired by a similar project in Colorado, the only other of its kind, according to McCallion.
See foundation, Page 22 Bonney Lake resident Dorothy, accompanied by son John and husband Derry, enjoy a Sentimental Journey. The foundation gifted Dorothy a souvenir blanket, to help make the environment feel less clinical. Photo by Teresa McCallion
Increased school fees approved by council School district may need to expand as city does
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Kaitlyn Neary, Sumner High senior, Elise Bouchard, 6 and Kimi Nakayama, senior,
at Sumner’s girls regional basketball game against Lake Washington at PuyalCheer It Up cheer lup High School Friday. Photo by Dennis Box
As the city grows more homes are being built, which means more children and the need for more schools. The Bonney Lake City Council approved ordinance No. 1478 at the council meeting on Feb. 25. This ordinance is a school impact fee for the Sumner School District, which will go into effect about April 2, according to Bonney Lake City Administrator Don Morrison said.
See schools, Page 5
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