By RANDY BARTLEY
Staff writer
For 11 year-old Gavyn Denny, the wildfires raging in California are personal.
In 2013, Gavyn and his family had a ringside seat for the “Rim” fire that devastated more than 257,000 acres.
Gavyn’s father, U.S. Army Sgt. Dustin Denny, was stationed in Sonora, not far from the fire.
“I could see the fire from my office,” said Sgt. Denny, who works at the Army recruiting center in Clarion.
Denny said his son would watch the 50-truck convoys of firetrucks pass by when the firefighters changed shifts.
“He was too young to realize what was really happening and, like most kids, thought the firetrucks were pretty cool,” Denny said. “Gavyn was also impressed by the constant flights of the large firefighting airplanes.
“The biggest danger was from the smoke. It got to be so bad that the schools were forced to close. The smoke was like a heavy fog. Gavyn couldn’t even go outside.”
Denny said it’s a tradition in his household to sort through the toys of his boys: Gavyn, 4-year-old Grayson and 2 year-old Axton. The broken toys are discarded, but other, unused toys are donated to charities.
“This year, Gavyn told us that instead of birthday presents for himself, he wanted to donate his gifts to the children in the burned-out village of Paradise, California.”
Gavyn’s birthday was Wednesday.
Paradise, in Butte County, east of the city of Chico, bore the brunt of the devastation. Paradise, home to 26,000 people, was almost completely destroyed in the recent wildfires.
“Gavyn and his friend Hayden Hindman decided they wanted to take up a collection and, well, it has taken off from there,” Denny said.
Gavyn said he has friends in California, “and I know some of them were affected by the fire. I have not heard from them for a while.”
Gavyn’s father said Clarion Elementary School Principal Roger Walter heard about the boys’ effort and is “100 percent behind it.”
“When we heard about what Gavyn wanted to do we wanted to help,” Walter said.
The school has printed flyers for Gavyn to distribute and there will be a collection point. Items may be deposited at the school from Dec. 3 through Dec. 12.
“We have been working with the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry,” Denny said. On Small Business Saturday, November 24, the boys will be distributing flyers. “They have been super supportive.”
Even the U. S. Army has gotten involved. Local Army Reserve vehicles will be at various locations in the community to collect items.
“It is inspiring to see such selfless service in one so young,” said Capt. Jonathan Guelzo, commander of the Recruiting Company in Clarion. “Our future soldiers could learn from this young man.”
Denny said his son has been “really excited” about the effort.
“He has been going to school early and at night he is up late working on creating flyers on the computer,” Denny said.
The boys are collecting toys, new and gently used clothing and new undergarments.
“We are also collecting winter clothes,” Gavyn said. “Some of those people haven’t even had a chance to change their clothes since they had to leave their homes.”
Monetary donations may be made through Bridge Builders in Oil City. Denny said that organization will find sister organizations in California to distribute the funds.
The donations will be shipped on Dec. 12 to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Denny said Commodore Homes in Clarion has offered to ship the collected items.
“I want to thank my dad, Mr. Walter, Tracy (Becker) at the Clarion Chamber and everyone who has helped me,” Gavyn said.
For information on how you can help Gavyn Denny and his friend Hayden Hindman in their efforts to collect items for victims of the California wildfires, call Sgt. Dustin Denny at (814) 227-1270.