Camp Fire candy seller’s act of kindness resonates

EVERETT — Kat Oberman was heading back to bed the morning of Feb. 9, sick to her stomach with flu, when the young girl knocked on her door.

The girl said she was in Camp Fire and selling candy for a fundraiser. Would she like to buy some?

Oberman said she was very sick and would have to pass. The girl politely left. And Oberman headed off to bed.

The next day, Oberman worked herself up to take out the trash. On her doorstep, she found a can of chicken-and-rice soup, and a 3-by-5 card with a smiley face and this note handwritten in red ink: “Get well soon from the Camp Fire girls. I heard soup helps.”

That note is now on Oberman’s refrigerator. And she has been sharing the story with friends and family ever since. She also relayed the story to the Camp Fire Snohomish County Council, which has yet to identify the young candy seller.

“She deserves so much kudos,” Oberman said. “She needs to understand, I’ll probably have that note on my refrigerator for years. I’ll look at it and know there are amazing, thoughtful people out there. I don’t know if she knows how much she touched me. Those little acts of kindness — they go so far.”

Camp Fire is a national co-ed youth group serving boys and girls from 3 years through high school, as well as the entire family. The clubs and camps aim to empower young people to make their world a better place.

Local leaders say the young candy seller exemplifies what Camp Fire stands for.

“We are proud to have this young lady represent Camp Fire so well,” said Michael Deal, director of operations for Camp Fire Snohomish County.

Oberman knows firsthand the benefits of Camp Fire.

Growing up in Kirkland, she was involved in Camp Fire from a young age, starting as a Bluebird (now called Starflight), all the way through high school.

“It’s a great organization,” said Oberman, now 50. “I like the fact that it promotes goodwill. I like that it’s community oriented. You were really taught to think of others — just like this young girl did.”

By the way, that candy sale? It continues through today.

Need candy?

Camp Fire kids are selling a variety of candy for $5. If you would like to buy some, call 425-258-5437 or visit the Camp Fire Training &Resource Center at 4312 Rucker Ave., Everett. But act fast. Today’s the last day of the sale. More info: www.campfireusasnohomish.org.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic idles while waiting for the lights to change along 33rd Avenue West on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood seeks solutions to Costco traffic boondoggle

Let’s take a look at the troublesome intersection of 33rd Avenue W and 30th Place W, as Lynnwood weighs options for better traffic flow.

A memorial with small gifts surrounded a utility pole with a photograph of Ariel Garcia at the corner of Alpine Drive and Vesper Drive ion Wednesday, April 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Death of Everett boy, 4, spurs questions over lack of Amber Alert

Local police and court authorities were reluctant to address some key questions, when asked by a Daily Herald reporter this week.

The new Amazon fulfillment center under construction along 172nd Street NE in Arlington, just south of Arlington Municipal Airport. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20210708
Frito-Lay leases massive building at Marysville business park

The company will move next door to Tesla and occupy a 300,0000-square-foot building at the Marysville business park.

House Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 15, 2019, on the status of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
How Snohomish County lawmakers voted on TikTok ban, aid to Israel, Ukraine

The package includes a bill to ban TikTok if it stays in the hands of a Chinese company, which made one Everett lawmaker object.

A grizzly bear is seen on July 6, 2011 while roaming near Beaver Lake in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The National Park and U.S. Fish and Wildlife services have released a draft plan for reintroducing grizzlies into the North Cascades.
Grizzlies to return to North Cascades, feds confirm

Under the final plan announced Thursday, officials will release three to seven bears every year. They anticipate 200 in a century.

ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Mifthakof, left, shows Gov. Jay Inslee a hydrogen-powered motor during an event at ZeroAvia’s new Everett facility on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, near Paine Field in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
ZeroAvia’s new Everett center ‘a huge step in decarbonizing’ aviation

The British-American company, which is developing hydrogen-electric powered aircraft, expects one day to employ hundreds at the site.

"Unsellable Houses" hosts Lyndsay Lamb (far right) and Leslie Davis (second from right) show homes in Snohomish County to Randy and Gina (at left) on an episode of "House Hunters: All Stars" that airs Thursday. (Photo provided by HGTV photo)
Snohomish twin stars of HGTV’s ‘Unsellable Houses’ are on ‘House Hunters’

Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis show homes in Mountlake Terrace, Everett and Lynnwood in Thursday’s episode.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Oso man gets 1 year of probation for killing abusive father

Prosecutors and defense agreed on zero days in jail, citing documented abuse Garner Melum suffered at his father’s hands.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin steps back and takes in a standing ovation after delivering the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
In meeting, Everett mayor confirms Topgolf, Chicken N Pickle rumors

This month, the mayor confirmed she was hopeful Topgolf “would be a fantastic new entertainment partner located right next to the cinemas.”

Alan Edward Dean, convicted of the 1993 murder of Melissa Lee, professes his innocence in the courtroom during his sentencing Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bothell man gets 26 years in cold case murder of Melissa Lee, 15

“I’m innocent, not guilty. … They planted that DNA. I’ve been framed,” said Alan Edward Dean, as he was sentenced for the 1993 murder.

Gus Mansour works through timing with Jeff Olson and Steven Preszler, far right, during a rehearsal for the upcoming annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Hunka hunka: Elvis Challenge returns to Historic Everett Theatre May 4

The “King of Rock and Roll” died in 1977, but his music and sideburns live on with Elvis tribute artists.

FILE - A Boeing 737 Max jet prepares to land at Boeing Field following a test flight in Seattle, Sept. 30, 2020. Boeing said Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, that it took more than 200 net orders for passenger airplanes in December and finished 2022 with its best year since 2018, which was before two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max jet and a pandemic that choked off demand for new planes. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Boeing’s $3.9B cash burn adds urgency to revival plan

Boeing’s first three months of the year have been overshadowed by the fallout from a near-catastrophic incident in January.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.