LAKE GOODWIN — A donation of $10,000 by First Heritage Bank puts Camp Fire over $2 million in pledges toward its $2.7 million Camp Fire Capital Campaign goal, according to Toby Brown, of Camp Fire.

The president and CEO of the bank, Cathy Reines said they chose Camp Fire as a beneficiary because it contributes toward making kids become great leaders.

“We take great pride in being able to make a difference in our communities and Camp Fire has a long-standing record of helping kids to become caring community members,” Reines said.

The vice president for commercial lending at First Heritage, Greg Starup has also been a Camp Fire board member since the late 1980s.

“I feel fortunate to work for First Heritage Bank, which is dedicated to community involvement,” Starup said.

As a board member Starup is on Camp Fire’s capital campaign committee. He and other board members presented Camp Fire’s goals and programs to Reines who agreed, the combination of community and business coming together for the benefit of the kids was a perfect match.

The bank’s $10,000 brings the fundraising effort to a total of $2,004,860.

The funds will help complete several new buildings, including a new Leadership Center at the camp which is located on 185 acres at Crabapple Lake near Lake Goodwin. Along with offering an expansive summer camping program, Camp Killoqua hosts more than 65 community non-profits that work with children.

Starup’s own family has grown up at Camp Killoqua and he sees the potential for a third generation with his grandchildren joining in the activities.

“Whoever we can involve with today’s kids, like I did with First Heritage Bank, we should go for it,” Starup said.

“We take pride in being able to make a difference in our communities,,” Reines added.

Camp Fire is now moving into the Community Phase of their Capital Campaign.

The Community Phase focuses on Legacy Square at the new Welcome Center in the main parking area at Camp Killoqua.

The Welcome Center is the third of five new structures being built at Camp Killoqua. The expansion and new facilities will expand the camps ability to serve from 8,400 to 12,000 youth each year.

At Legacy Square, beautiful granite pavers will be displayed along with the Donor Wall. Pavers come in six sizes ranging in price from $100 to $5,000.

“This hub of activity is where all campers are dropped off and picked up, so everyone arriving at camp will have an opportunity to see the pavers,” Brown said.

For information on how to make a donation to help Camp Fire call 425-258-KIDS (5437) or go to their web site www.CampFireUSASnohomish.org/Capital.htm.