Community partners from across the region helped in putting on the second annual Cabin Fever for Kids. The Feb. 15 event provided indoor fun for Umatilla and Morrow county foster kids and their families.

Several community partners teamed up with the Department of Human Services-Child Welfare program to offer indoor activities for Umatilla and Morrow county foster kids and their families.

Cabin Fever for Kids was held Feb. 15 at the Hermiston Christian Center. After the success of last year’s inaugural event, Marvin Hamilton, a DHS certifier, said word spread about how much fun Cabin Fever was and even more people turned out to enjoy the food, fun, games and prizes. Hamilton estimated that about 185 foster children, foster parents, volunteers and community partners showed up

Donations from the community, Hamilton said, also helped inflate the fun factor, including a 60-foot portable obstacle course provided by Tom Denchel Auto Group’s Hermiston Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. And the excitement wasn’t just with the kids.

“It was amazing to see the enjoyment on the kids’ faces today,” employees from Hermiston CDJR said in a statement. “We love this community!”

Banner Bank made sure the little ones could hop into the fun with a bounce house. And a generous donation from Eastern Oregon Telecom covered costs for all the food — featuring everything from hot dogs, chili and nachos to banana splits and lemonade — for those in attendance. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Heather Smith donated her time and her machine to make fresh cotton candy for the children.

Additional opportunities to bounce were provided by Brando’s brother, Hidalgo. Hamilton and co-worker Jason Bremner have created several heavy-duty spring rocking horses for fundraising raffles. Umatilla County Fair princesses helped staff the station to offer rides to the kids. Other DHS workers got creative with face painting. Also helping out were members of the Hermiston Christian Center & School youth group and The Country Church’s fire starters youth group.

An educational component featured booths from the Oregon State University Extension Office, including James “Snake Guy” McKnight with a 5-foot python as well as information about entomology and agriculture.

Hamilton said additional “stars” at the event included local law enforcement officers, including personnel from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Two Rivers Correctional Institution, as well as representatives from Hermiston, Pendleton, Umatilla and Echo/Stanfield police departments.

“The officers brought police cars, stickers and had a blast letting the children play in their police car,” Hamilton said. “The officers who attended were challenged by the other children to race in the inflatable obstacle course and the challenge was accepted with lots of fun results.”

The Department of Human Services continues to plan and organize additional activities in the future for area foster children, as well as awareness and recruitment events. To learn more about how to get involved, contact Hamilton at 541-564-4484 or marvin.hamilton@dhsoha.state.or.us.