SANDPOINT — It was a desire to help friends and neighbors — the very people fighting the Sunset and Lightning Creek fires in southern Bonner County — that prompted a local Rotary Club drive for comfort and prepackaged items often in short supply for local fire departments.

"I think the best thing for me is that it reminded me that we're still a small community," said David Keyes, district governor elect of District 5080 for Rotary International. "When we come together, when people need help, we think beyond ourselves."

When Rotary members put out the word that comfort and prepackaged items would be welcome donations for local firefighters working on the fires, Keyes said club officials were cautiously optimistic.

A similar drive during the Beehive Fire several years ago saw a large numb

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