Volunteers chop firewood for ElderHelp of North Idaho to deliver to seniors

HAYDEN — Cutting, stacking, and transporting over 60 cords of firewood is no easy task.

But around 100 volunteers were up to the challenge Saturday.

Several organizations came together for the benefit of ElderHelp of North Idaho, an organization that delivers firewood to seniors and families that rely on wood heat in the winter in Kootenai County.

The work was also part of a National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of those lost during 9/11. This particular project has taken place on the National Day of Service since 2018.

Sixteen congregations from the Coeur d’Alene and Hayden Lake stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered their time in addition to equipment, including log splitters, chain saws and trucks.

“This is really wonderful,” said Ryan Johnson, president of the Coeur d’Alene stake. “It’s a great opportunity to come together.”

Though the project had taken place at the ElderHelp wood yard in Hayden in past years, operations relocated to donated land off East Dodd Road due to zoning issues.

But that was no issue for the volunteers.

“I underestimated how much we’d be doing here,” said volunteer Charles Rieben.

ElderHelp will distribute around 250 cords of wood, according to program director Vern Newby.

For organizer and volunteer Julienne Dance, the day was an opportunity to connect and give back to her community.

“It takes all of us to help each other thrive in life,” Dance said. “I’d love for one of the recipients to think, ‘Somebody’s thinking of me.’” 

    A volunteer uses a chainsaw to split logs for firewood Saturday.
  

    Three young men use a log splitter during Saturday's project with ElderHelp.
  

    Volunteer stack firewood into trucks Saturday, which will be delivered to area seniors in need.