Turkey Trot treat: fire truck rides

By Matthew Nash • December 31, 2025 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Fourth graders, from left, Malta Bushy, Emma Stewart, and Sammy Nicholson stand with Keith Koehler, a volunteer EMS with Clallam County Fire District 3, prior to riding in a fire truck home from school at Helen Haller Elementary. Nicholson won the ride for receiving the most funds for Sequim Elementary PTA’s Turkey Trot.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Fourth graders, from left, Malta Bushy, Emma Stewart, and Sammy Nicholson stand with Keith Koehler, a volunteer EMS with Clallam County Fire District 3, prior to riding in a fire truck home from school at Helen Haller Elementary. Nicholson won the ride for receiving the most funds for Sequim Elementary PTA’s Turkey Trot.

As special prizes for receiving the most donations for the Sequim Elementary PTA’s Turkey Trot on Nov. 26, a few students received rides home from school in a fire truck as tradition courtesy Clallam County Fire District 3.

Honorees were Sammy Nicholson, a fourth grader at Helen Haller Elementary, on Dec. 12, and first grader Kacy Batson and kindergartner Dean Lotzgesell, both at Greywolf Elementary, on Dec. 19.

Nicholson and Batson were top earners last year too.

Organizers report the Turkey Trot surpassed its $28,000 goal to earn $37,787 to support purchasing books for students to read over summer break, help with PTA-led teacher appreciation events, support reading, science and other programs, and fund teacher-led projects that create hands-on learning experiences for students.

Students at both schools record laps the day before Thanksgiving break to promote fitness and school spirit, organizers said.

For more information about Sequim Elementary PTA, email SequimelementaryPTA@gmail.com, or find the group at facebook.com/sequimelementarypta.

Photo courtesy Jennifer Lopez/ Kiera Hardin and Kacy Batson ride in a fire truck home from Greywolf Elementary on Dec. 19 as a prize for Batson being one of the top earners for the Sequim Elementary PTA’s Turkey Trot fundraiser.
Photo courtesy Jennifer Lopez/ Greywolf Elementary students Kiera Hardin, Kacy Batson, Dean Lotzgesell and Axel Anstett ready to ride in a fire truck after school on Dec. 19. Batson and Lotzgesell were some of the top recipients for the Sequim Elementary PTA’s Turkey Trot fundraiser.