Funds raised by the Wood River Valley community early this fall to help firefighters has been totaled at more than $100,000, the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau announced Monday.
The money came from donations made to the Sawtooth Board of Realtors Firefighters Fund and receipts from the Castle Rock Firefighters Benefit Concert, held Sept. 29. The event was dubbed the Kick Ash Bash.
The money will go to the Sun Valley-Ketchum Volunteer Firefighters Association, which includes all valley fire departments, and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, a Boise-based nonprofit organization that helps families of firefighters killed or injured in the line of duty.
Rock 'n' roll musician Steve Miller, who headlined the concert, will present checks to representatives of the volunteer firefighters association on Monday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. in Ketchum City Hall.
"At that time the actual total will be revealed," chamber Executive Director Carol Waller said. "They'll divvy out funds to local and regional fire departments."
The Castle Rock Firefighter's Benefit Concert attracted more than 6,000 attendees, including 1,000 first responders who received free admission.
"Kudos to the entire community for coming together so quickly in such large numbers to thank all of the firefighters in such a heartfelt way and a special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put the entire event together," Miller said. "This speaks volumes about the quality and the character of all who live and work here."
Folk music legend Carole King, who also performed at the concert, agreed.
"This just goes to show what a strong community of friends and neighbors can accomplish," King said.
The Castle Rock Fire burned approximately 50,000 acres near Ketchum in late August and early September.
