Community Thanks December 19, 2010

SHALENA: Thank you for hard work

I want to start out with saying thank you so very much to the Hauser Lake Fire Department Auxiliary, Hauser Lake Ranchers (4-H group) and the entire Hauser Lake Fire Department and their families for all of their hard work putting on our 25th Shalena's Breakfast with Santa. I also want to thank all the media for their support and the stores for donating some of the food. Without all of you, we would not be near as successful.

This year (25th) was without the biggest, the best breakfast ever. We served more than 1,700 people. We grossed about $10,000. The breakfast cost us this year around $3,500 to $4,000 to put on.

I'm so proud of my fire department and auxiliary for 25 years of hard work. I'm thankful the Lord has blessed us so we could be touched so many lives in helping these families with children with cancer.

Again, thank you so very much.

GARY MOBBS, Captain

Hauser Lake Fire Department

Shalena's father

HAITI: Response was amazing

I want to take a moment to express my appreciation and gratitude to the many concerned and giving people who make up our wonderful community. Following the devastating earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, this past January, the local response was nothing less than amazing!

Nearly $70,000 in medications, medical supplies and cash donations were given to the Haiti Endowment Fund without any solicitation! Every penny and every last pill and piece of equipment went directly to Haiti. Three hundred pairs of crutches, 200 walkers, 250 canes and 50 wheelchairs were included. I wish each of you could witness the smiles and lessening of suffering which I have been privileged to experience firsthand.

I could not possibly list the names of all who contributed. I do want to thank Kootenai Medical Center, North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital and Orthopedics Associates of Coeur d'Alene for an amazing volume of medical supplies and medications. Thank you Super 1, the Kroc Center and North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital for providing locations for mobility device collection. Thanks to the local couple who provided two dental chairs. Thanks to Dr. Duane Daugharty whose procedure table has already seen countless cases. Thanks to every family that gave because they wanted to lessen the suffering in Haiti. Thanks to local school children and students for their loving efforts and gifts. Most of all, thank you to our Creator who has allowed us to have our hearts broken by that which breaks His.

Merry Christmas and thank you all!

MICHAEL

ETTNER, MD

Coeur d'Alene

PARADE: Thanks for dedication

On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and especially the teen members of Idaho Drug Free Youth, please allow me to give a big shout out of thanks to Terry Cooper and Gay Glasson of the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association for their hard work and dedication in conducting another fun filled Lighting Festival Parade. Also, to the Hagadone Corporation for creating our city's wonderful introduction to our annual holiday celebration.

This year, however, a few more people need to be recognized for their contribution that allowed a group of teens to bring their vision of a holiday float to reality. The IDFY student's float, themed "Believe in a Substance Free Life," was an architectural feat that turned out beautifully because of the generous donations of cash, talent, supplies and manual labor.

Please help us recognize our heros: Eve Knudtsen - Knudtsen Chevrolet, Mr. Werner Nennecker, Gary Bartoo - Coeur d'Alene Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Teresa McHugh - Maiden Metal, Forest Steel, Idaho Lights, All American Sign Company, Design Events, Home Depot, Cenex Co-op Supply, Grace Tree Service, Owens Construction and the Kootenai Alliance for Children & Families. A special thank you to Jeni Riplinger of Art on the Edge who allowed us to build our creation in their spacious, heated warehouse.

Additionally, a big thanks to all of the adult volunteers (You know who you are!) for their support in the form of time, food, tools, covering last minute details and to parents for transporting your kids to and from float building detail!

We are all so very proud of the thousands of student members of Idaho Drug Free Youth who are positively changing the teen culture of Idaho. With their commitment and community members who support their choices, we can look forward to welcoming healthy and caring adults in the future.

AMY BARTOO

Idaho Drug Free Youth

Director of Community and Public Relations

Coeur d'Alene

STAFF: Gave excellent care

We want to thank the staff at Wellspring Meadows for the excellent care for our brother, Hank Chandler. I don't know all of your names, but you are angels in disguise: The girls in the dining room, activities director, nurse, bus driver, management. Hank had been in several places in the past 20 years. This was where he was happy.

Thank you all.

CLIFF and GRACE CHANDLER

Hayden

SHALENA: Benefit assists family

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those who attended the Hauser Lake Shalena's Breakfast With Santa benefit on Sunday, Dec. 12. This year's fundraiser was a resounding success with more than 1,700 attendees.

Proceeds assisted a local family with a 3-year-old child suffering from neuroblastoma, a devastating childhood cancer. This was our 25 anniversary for the fundraiser held in honor of Shalena Mobbs. The support we received from the Inland Empire community, local businesses and organizations was overwhelming. Once again a huge thank you to all of those who were involved in supporting and attending the event.

LARRY SIMMS

Chief, Hauser Lake Fire Prot. Dist.

EVENT: Benefits humane society

On behalf of Kootenai Humane Society, we would like to give a big thank you to Bonnie Haleen and Lorna Hamilton for coordinating such a fantastic event to benefit our organization. Talent is hard to find and the individuals in the show proved by far that talent is here in Kootenai County.

We want to say a special thank you to all the performers for their time and dedication; it does not go unnoticed. The benefit show at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center raised $1,548 for our animals at Kootenai Humane Society. All proceeds directly benefit to helping the animals find their furr-ever home. Thank you so much for your continued support for Kootenai Humane Society!

JAMIE FOURNIER

Hayden

BALL: Was a beautiful evening

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following for their great efforts to make the 235th Marine Corp Birthday Ball a beautiful evening:

The Coeur d'Alene Resort, Chuck Shirley, Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Pipes & Drum and The Coeur d'Alene Resort serving staff.

Another big thank you goes out to the following for their donations that helped make the Toys for Tots silent auction a success:

Bulldog Pipe & Cigar, Carol Nell, Bill Topps, Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, The Frame of Mind Gallery, Lookout Pass, E Marine PX (Grass Valley, Calif.), Enchanted Skies Jewelry (Albuquerque, N.M.), Center Target Sports, Wolf Lodge, Olive Garden, National Museum of the Marine Corps (Triangle, Va.), Marketplace Gifts, Mackenzie River Pizza, Hollie Balderston (Jacksonville, N.C.), Texas Roadhouse, Sgt. Grit Marine Specialties (Oklahoma City, Okla.), John E. Bishop (Annapolis, Md.), Red Lobster, Hagadone Directories and Quinn's Hot Springs (Montana).

A special thank you to all bidders and winners of the silent auction.

PAULETTE GAFFNEY

Marine Corps League Pappy Boyington Detachment

No. 966 Auxiliary

DRIVE: Residents showed support

A huge thanks to the residents of Northridge at Prairie Falls for their tremendous support of the Post Falls High School food bank drive. Even though flyers didn't get distributed until Saturday afternoon, my daughter Shannon and her friend Tanner gathered more than 300 pounds of food and $40 in cash on Sunday from the Northridge neighborhood.

Hungry people and their pets who rely on the Post Falls Food Bank really appreciate your quick and generous response.

BRUCE KELLY

Post Falls