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Rally for Education scheduled for Sept. 25

by MAUREEN DOLAN
Staff Writer | April 20, 2010 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - The folks at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy are hoping to spice up the local fundraising landscape with something new - a road rally.

The Rally for Education will be held Sept. 25, and replaces the school's annual auction.

"Our goal was to come up with something that is completely different from anything that's been done around here," said Principal Dan Nicklay.

No professional racing skills are required, nor is a fast car, because it won't be a street race, and speed won't determine the winner.

Winning will be largely based on the most accurate time to complete the course, not the fastest time.

There will be a route outline with checkpoints, many of them area businesses.

"We want to draw in as many people as possible from all corners of the county," Nicklay said.

Drivers might get to see some local spots they've never visited, Nicklay said, while participating businesses will benefit from event advertising and any visibility generated by the traffic they receive by being a stopping point during the race.

There will be activities connected with some of the checkpoints. Nicklay said one idea is to have a dance at the end of the course.

"The community has been very supportive, but we just get the sense that people are kind of sick of auctions," Nicklay said.

The fundraiser road rally concept is popular in other parts of the country, Nicklay said, and something they have been considering at the Coeur d'Alene school for several years.

Proceeds from the rally will go into a scholarship fund for graduates from the school, and into their capital improvement fund for building improvements.

"Our goal is to offer an event that provides a lot of fun for participants, builds community within and outside our school population, benefits area businesses, raises money for students at one of the top schools in the country, and is not an auction, golf tournament or gala event," Nicklay said.

Information: 676-1667