Arcade to benefit burned kids

Students, their families and staff at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts & Humanities are pulling together to raise money to help the families of two local children who were seriously burned during a recent backyard accident in Coeur d'Alene.

The Sorensen crowd will host a backyard "cardboard arcade" fundraiser Friday from 5-7 p.m. at 614 E. Foster Ave., Coeur d'Alene.

"We are family. We stick together. This is a horrible situation, and we want to do what we can to help the family, our family," said Sorensen parent and staff member Lisa Thompson.

The injured children - Brooklynne White, 4, and Joshua Emerson, 8 - were airlifted to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, after a man poured gasoline onto a backyard fire pit and the gas can exploded. Both children are expected to remain at Harborview for weeks for skin grafts and other medical treatment.

Play passes, Otter pops, lemonade and popcorn will be available for $1 each during the arcade event featuring cardboard games made exclusively by two of Joshua's classmates: Henry Depew and Owen Harro.

"Both Henry and Owen have been building cardboard arcade games since summer vacation started. When I presented the idea of using the cardboard arcade to raise money for Joshua and Brooklynne, they were completely on board," said Sue Morgan-Depew, Henry's mother. "Both are very compassionate and giving, so this was an easy pitch to present to them."

A fund has been set up to help the families of Brooklynne White and Joshua Emerson, with expenses including medical costs, travel, lodging and meals. Donations are being accepted online at: www.gofundme.com/aw18rc.