Change a life for $1

COEUR D'ALENE -- If you received one dollar, how would you use it to change someone's life?

More than 1,000 area residents have been asking themselves that for a few weeks. After receiving the $1 Challenge from the Board of Directors of Coeur d'Alene Homes Assisted Living and Memory Care, many have added to the $1 and given donations to area charities.

The Post Falls Food Bank was no exception.

Coeur d'Alene Homes received a letter a few days ago from the executive director of the Post Falls Food Bank, Sherry Wallis. 

"Sherry took the time to thank us for the $1 Challenge after receiving several donations from people 'paying it forward,'" said Georgianne Jessen, president of the Board of Directors.

Wallis explained in her thank you letter that "the cash donations gave the Food Bank the chance to triple their buying power for necessary food items."

Last month, Coeur d'Alene Homes sent out two $1 bills with instructions to pay $1 forward and add to the other $1 and bless someone. Then return stories of how it made a difference in someone's life. The stories are shared in a book for their residents to read and on their website at www.cdaseniorliving.org.

"The stories coming out of this $1 challenge are wonderful," Jessen said. "Reading about how other area nonprofits have received gifts is really gratifying, especially now when the need is so great. When you combine a generous heart with $1, it can be powerful."

The $1 Challenge idea sprung from the story of the Five Talents found in Matthew 25 where Jesus gives us the parable of the master entrusting his wealth to his three servants. The story causes us to think of how this $1 can be put to good use and multiplied into blessing others.

Coeur d'Alene Homes is an Assisted Living and Alzheimer's/Dementia Care Center. Sponsored by 24 corporate Christian congregations, Coeur d'Alene Homes is a nonprofit organization equipped to care for the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of its residents. Since 1921, their mission is to provide a faith based loving home that honors older adults.