October 23, 2023 — The Port of Skagit is partnering with Community Action of Skagit County to get firewood into the hands and homes of those who need it as the cold weather approaches.
The Port’s new “Community Firewood Program” was borne out of opportunity and available resources. The Port of Skagit owns more than 2,000 acres throughout the county, a large portion of which is forested land, creating an ample opportunity to collect fallen trees that can be repurposed into firewood for those in need. The Port’s maintenance team began making a concentrated effort this year to save any firewood grade limbs or trees that come down across Port properties, then bringing them to the SWIFT Center log yard for processing into firewood.
The goal of the program is to take wood that would normally be an expense to haul off, or left in the forested lands to rot, and convert it into something useful for the community.
“By our dedicated staff utilizing downed wood on the various Port of Skagit properties, we’re able to help provide accessible heating source for families that may not be able to afford other heating options,” stated Port of Skagit Commission President Steve Omdal.
The Port connected this past spring with Community Action of Skagit County, which offers heating and utility assistance as one of their many critical services. The Robert M. Gates Vets Connect Program and Energy & Utility Assistance Program are vitally important to ensuring that community members in need have access to resources. This particular effort will provide the fuel needed to heat homes—which in this case is firewood. It is an ideal partnership between the Port and Community Action, which will coordinate the distribution of the firewood to its program participants. More than 18 cords of firewood have been cut, split and stacked onto more than 36 pallets over this past summer alone.
Another noteworthy accomplishment through the program is the focus on volunteerism. Several Port employees have processed the wood outside of their regular work hours and they will be volunteering their Veteran’s Day Holiday, which is observed this year on November 10, to help load trucks and trailers and distribute the firewood alongside Community Action workers and volunteers.
Seniors, veterans and veterans’ families interested in obtaining firewood, and those interested in volunteering for the firewood program, may contact 360-416-7585 or SeniorServices@CommunityActionSkagit.org.
