Washington Operation Lifesaver: My Volunteer Passion

April 14, 2009, the lives of many were changed because of the tragedy that claimed the lives of Katie Blacklaw and Eddie Denson. Two beautiful and smart 15 year old teenagers who made a bad choice to climb up onto the mainline tracks in Eddie’s backyard. They were standing between the tracks and because of the southbound freight train they were not able to hear the northbound Amtrak Cascades train that was barreling down on them and would end their young lives. Katie and my son, Emerson, were best friends since the first day of kindergarten. Eddie had come into our lives at the beginning of the school year. I loved them both dearly.

Because of their tragedy I met Steve and I somehow continue to be blessed because of the love I had for those 2 kids.

I can not let that tragedy be wasted so as a result, through Washington Operation Lifesaver, I talk to thousands of people a year and teach them the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks. Below are a few pictures of SW Washington Fair in Chehalis that ran August 13-18. I spoke to 1,814 people in 6 days.