Candygrams for Ottmars

MOSES LAKE — A family received $295 Wednesday from the sale of candygrams at Lakeview Terrace Elementary School in Moses Lake.

George and Amy Ottmar, and their third-grade son Joshua, lost their home to a fire in December. An accidental fire began while they were attempting to thaw pipes in their home on Frontage Road, located between Warden and Moses Lake.

Students in Joshua’s school chose to donate proceeds from a candygram sale to the family. The sale was organized by the school’s K-Kids club.

Club President Ella Olson, 11, said club members sold the candygrams during lunch. For 50 cents, students could purchase candy and provide a message for delivery to another classmate.

“We would take the envelopes to the teachers, and they would hand them out,” Olson said.

Students sold 590 candygrams during the week long event.

“We think it’s pretty cool,” said Amy Ottmar. “It’s very nice of them.”

Amy said the family is planning to build a double-wide trailer on the property where their home burned down. They are waiting for better weather before laying a foundation.

She said other people in the community have helped her family.

“The Moses Lake community has been very generous,” Amy said.

Grant County Fire Districts 4 and 5 responded to the fire, which happened Dec. 15. The home was destroyed, District 4 Chief Randy Wiggins said in a previous interview.

“They lost their home and everything to a fire, so we just wanted to support them, and Joshua was (attending school) here,” said K-Kids club co-Advisor Rhonda Ebel.

Co-Advisor Jessica Bjork said the believes the K-Kids members did an awesome job with the fund-raiser.

The children were excited about the sale and worked during lunch and recess, Bjork said.

Olson said she and the other K-Kids were kept busy during the sale.

“We were like (serving) person, after person, after person, for the whole lunch hour and even a few minutes after,” she  said.