Hospice raises $80K

COEUR d'ALENE - Toasting a success.

The 25th annual Hospice of North Idaho wine tasting fundraiser brought the nonprofit care center one step closer to its planned inpatient facility.

With a diversity of fine wines, live and silent auctions, ticket sales and other donations, Hospice took in $80,000, which it will put toward its new 12-bed inpatient facility set to break ground in Hayden this spring.

"To me it always supports the fact that we have a generous community," said Paul Weil, Hospice executive director. "The community is just so generous in the way it supports us."

The auctions raised more than $30,000, while $12,400 came in pledges from participants purchasing pieces of the new facility to be dedicated to a name the buyer chooses. The facility's front door and windows yielded $5,000.

"That was a great night," Weil said.

With the proceeds of the event, Hospice has raised more than $2.5 million for the $4 million facility.

"We see a lot of repeat ticket buyers," he said. "They support Hospice of North Idaho and they really enjoyed the event."

Same time next year?

You bet, as the 26th annual event is slated for the first Saturday of February, he said.