Dr. Helen Butler retires from CK Medic One; position vacant.
Dr. Helen Butler founded the Central Kitsap Medic One Foundation 12 years ago, but she recently decided to say goodbye to the nonprofit group she created.
Butler, the 12-year chairperson of the CK Medic One Foundation, recently retired, leaving a vacant spot on the five-member board.
“We’re just trying to find a fit — someone interested in helping out the community and CKFR,” said retired fire chief and current Medic One board chair R.E. “Dick” West.
The CK Medic One Foundation was founded in 1996 and provides supplemental support for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) activities performed by Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue (CKFR). Property taxes provide primary funding for EMS activities, but the money does not stretch far enough. The CK Medic One Foundation supplies the items that can’t be acquired through the CKFR budget.
“What we try and do is solicit donations and support from the community,” West said. “Anything that comes to the foundation will go directly to the fire department.”
The CK Medic One Foundation is a registered nonprofit tax-exempt organization and receives funds through donations from individuals and businesses. Donations may be tax-deductible. Past donations have been used to purchase items such as advanced model stethoscopes, medical reference libraries at each of the paramedic staffed fire stations, bicycles for the CKFR bike team, a marine depth finder, marine VHF radio and antenna and three survival suits for the CKFR rescue boat.
West said he would like to someday raise enough money to purchase a medic unit for CKFR.
West said Butler did a lot for the CK Medic One Foundation and will be missed by her former board members.
“Helen’s done a lot for Medic One,” West said. “There’s no doubt she’s made this thing what it is.”
Butler said she enjoyed working with the CK Medic One Foundation and helping CKFR staff obtain the equipment they need or want to provide better service to Central Kitsap residents.
“There was a sense of pride in working with the medical division of CKFR,” Butler said.
West said CK Medic One board members serve three-year terms. Butler’s term is unexpired, so whoever fills the vacant position on the board will only serve for about a year-and-a-half before deciding if he or she would like to continue a full term.
He said anyone can join the CK Medic One Foundation board. West, who is a retired fire chief, volunteers alongside an emergency room physician, a former fire commissioner and people in a variety of other professions to keep the CK Medic One Foundation going strong.
The CK Medic One Foundation meets once a month at the CKFR headquarters on Newberry Hill Road in Silverdale. West said he would like those interested in the vacant board position to attend a CK Medic One meeting and see what the nonprofit group is all about.
“We would like to have them come try us on,” West said.
Those interested in learning more or joining the CK Medic One Foundation board can call West at (360) 692-7266 or leave a message at CKFR’s headquarters at (360) 447-3550.
Anyone interested in making a monetary donation to the CK Medic One Foundation can send them to CK Medic One Foundation, 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road, Silverdale, WA 98383. Make donations payable to the Central Kitsap Medic One Foundation.
