WARDEN — After a devastating boat fire in July left five people injured, including two young children, the Grant County community is coming together to support the victims with a benefit dinner, dance, and auction at U Rock Ranch on Saturday, Oct. 18. 

The fundraiser aims to provide financial relief for the Marchand and Dillman families, who were severely impacted by the fire. Morgan Marchand, one of the victims and a single mother, said it was a harrowing experience and she and her family are in ongoing recovery. 

“It was really late at night,” Marchand said. “One of the families we were camping with had their daughter and her friend out on a boat, and they ran out of gas. We loaded up the gas can on our boat to help. My dad was so excited to help — it was my first time ever being on that boat.” 

Moments later, tragedy struck. 

“I was buckling my daughter’s life jacket when all of a sudden I heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash,” she said. “All I could hear was my people yelling, ‘Fire, fire, fire.’” 

Marchand and her father scrambled to get the children off the burning boat. Her daughter was thrown back into the flames when the strap on her life jacket broke.  

“Her hair was melted to her skin,” Marchand said. “You just see these giant white patches and chunks of meat missing off her hand.” 

The victims were rushed to Sacred Heart and later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Marchand and her daughter spent over two weeks in the ICU and continue to face a long road to recovery. 

“They’re expecting probably at least another year for me,” she said. “My daughter had two skin grafts. She wears a special glove to help keep movement in her fingers. We both have surgeries coming up in December.” 

With both Marchand and her father out of work, the fundraiser is a critical lifeline.  

“Things have been super tight,” she said. “The community has helped, and the GoFundMe has helped, but that’s our only source of income.” 

Jamie Dearing, one of the event organizers and owner of U Rock Ranch, said the idea came from a friend’s desire to help.  

“We know these people through horse activities in Grant County,” Dearing said. “It was heavy on our hearts and we decided that we needed to do something.” 

The event will feature a spaghetti dinner, dessert dash, silent and live auctions, and a dance with music by Dale Roth. Yarborough Auctioneers will emcee the auction, and all proceeds will be split among the five victims. 

“We want the community to know how the family’s doing, but also that there is still a significant need,” Dearing said. “Morgan’s not expected to work for another year. She’s a single mom with three or four kids. This is a call to action.” 

Admission is $11 for ages 11 and up, and $5 for children 10 and under. The event runs from 6 to 11 p.m. at 465 Road T NE, Warden. RSVPs can be sent to [email protected]. 

Marchand plans to attend the event and hopes to thank supporters in person. “It’s so amazing,” she said.  

“I grew up with a lot of these people,” she said. “It’s absolutely mind-boggling how much they’ve done for us.” 

She added, “Life is too short. Things can change in the blink of an eye. I have a whole new respect for fire — and for the people who’ve stood by us.” 

For those unable to attend, donations can be arranged through U Rock Ranch. 

    On Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. until midnight the U Rock Ranch will host an event to fundraise money for two families that were severely burned during a boat fire this summer.
  

    Morgan Marchand, one of the victims of the boat fire, is going to be at U Rock Ranch for the fundraising event Oct. 18.
  

    One of Morgan Marchand's children suffered burns from the boat fire this summer. He has recovered okay, according to Marchand.
  

    Morgan Marchand’s two-year-old daughter suffered significant burns during the boat fire.