Goodluck to the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb 2012 Participants

Twenty-two members of Enumclaw/King County Fire District No. 28 will be participating in the annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb 2012 Sunday morning at the Columbia Tours, benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

As of Saturday evening, it has raised nearly $8,500 toward its $10,000 goal. (Click here to view the team fundraising website.)

The climb itself is a 788-foot ascent up the Columbia Center in Seattle, standing as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi, according to the event website. This covers 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the observation deck.

Last year, the Enumclaw team included an extra place for Police Officer Chuck Hauswirth as the community together raced in memory of Sgt. Steve Robinson who died in early 2011 from cancer. ()

This year, various members have different reasons for racing.

Nona Zilbauer, an Enumclaw police officer and volunteer firefighter wrote: "We all miss Steve and there isn't a day that goes by that one of us is thinking about him. "

Maryn Otto writes: "...I'm dedicating my fundraising and climbing in honor and in memory of my dear friend, Peter Simon.  We miss you, Good Buddy! ..."

Joey Pierotti wrote: "For those of you who don't know, my mom was diagnosed with Lymphoma in the Spring of 2008. Diane Mills is the proud mother of four children as well as the owner of The Lee Restaurant. Luckily, it was caught in time to keep the disease at bay and prevent it from becoming a more sever a dramatic outcome. Even with all of the many responsibilities of being a business woman, let alone the countless tasks that she is faced with on a day-to-day basis being a mother she is still able to maintain both a diet and keep up on her treatments to help aid her in her continual fight against this disease."

And Steven Lentz has a specific goal in his race:

"This year, I am competing in the stairclimb for a friend of mine, Bradley Cunningham, who passed away 7 years ago.  And in his honor, the goal I am trying to reach is to out-fund raise every other firefighter in order to win, and donate, the "top fundraiser incentive," which is a trip for two to Hawaii, to a family that has lost their only child to Leukemia.

This past July, Kristin and Aaron Trippe lost their little girl to this terrible disease.  In order to help send them on a small get-away, I need your help.  I believe in the cause of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS), as well as that this is an attainable goal with your help.  I understand that economic times are tough, but I also believe that no contribution is too small.  It truly isn't silly even to give just $1 dollar.  It is amazing how it adds up when thousands of people (And yes! Thousands will have access to this site!) give just a little...."

(See the accompanying YouTube video about Lentz's goal.)

Good luck to all, and unless we're mistaken, it's not too late to help the team meet its fundraising goal of $10,000. (you can make a donation here) And Patch will watch for the results of the event and let you know how our local crew does.

Big Climb is March 25

While Sunday's stairclimb is meant for firefighters only, the Big Climb event, happening March 25, is open to the public though it also appears it's already sold out. (see website) Last year, at least two teams from Enumclaw took part in the race: Ryning & McGonegle and Team Combat of .