3Cs distributes $78,000

COEUR d'ALENE - They're called the "3Cs," for Cancer and Community Charities, but describing what the local nonprofit does takes three Gs: Good fun, good friends, and most importantly, good deeds.

The women's volunteer group distributed $78,000 Thursday to 26 local charities during its annual Community Appreciation Brunch at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Carol Peterson, the 3Cs president, said the organization and the charities to which it gives share a common goal - to make Kootenai County a great place to live.

"That's the beauty of this group. We work hard, and we give to people who work hard," said Peterson. "And, it all stays here, locally."

Representatives from each of the charities were on hand to accept the donations.

Ann Johnson, the director of development for Coeur d'Alene Homes Assisted Living and Memory Care, said her organization looks forward to the 3Cs brunch each year.

"It's a chance to see how they reach out to so many worthy groups in the area," Johnson said. "It's an honor and a privilege to be among them."

"This is my favorite function," said Bobbi Freeman, the 3Cs first vice president. "This is what we do. To see the people get their checks, it just warms your heart."

The 3Cs take their philanthropy seriously, but they focus on raising funds while having fun, and they showed it Thursday with the appearance of the 3Cs "Dancing Queen" dancers at the brunch event.

Wearing bright-colored feathered boas, and bouncy, flouncy skirts, 10 members of the 3Cs rocked out on stage as they danced and lip-synched to the song "Dancing Queen," by ABBA.

Each year, they raise funds through participation fees for various activities available to members - bowling, bridge, a book club, garden club, gourmet cooking group, golf, Mah Johng, travel and a new knitting and crocheting group.

The 3Cs also holds two major fundraisers annually, a spring fashion show, and for the first time this year, an Oktoberfest celebration is planned for Oct. 23 at The Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn.

Additional funds are also brought in by the 3Cs singing group, The Coeur d'Aleers, and the group participates annually in Kootenai Health's Festival of Trees and other community fundraisers.

The organization got its unofficial start in 1962 as the Cancer Crusaders Bowling League. It is now a 550-member strong 501c(3), with annual dues of $15, another source of money for the group to donate.

Last year, they handed out $75,000, and the year before, it was a record-setting $90,000.

Through the years, the group has given $831,000 to various agencies that assist the disadvantaged in Kootenai County.