Haitians still in need of our help

COEUR d'ALENE - Fred Mitchell was a navigator in World War II and in the Air Force for 21 years. He went on to teach math at Coeur d'Alene High School for 21 years.

But he has been helping people with their taxes for longer than any of those gigs.

"I'm amazed at him myself. He just keeps going," said Mitchell's wife, Nathalie.

Mitchell, 87, has spent each spring for more than two decades volunteering for the local AARP Tax-Aide program, helping low- to moderate-income taxpayers wade through W-2s, I-9s and 1040s.

The Coeur d'Alene man spent seven of those years also giving his time as a math tutor for local students. He is an active member of the North Idaho Retired Educators Association, and at Peace Lutheran Church, where he plays the keyboard during services.

And he has done it all with Nathalie by his side.

The Coeur d'Alene couple was recently honored by the AARP's Retired Educators Association for their volunteerism and civic engagement.

They received the agency's annual chapter community service award at the monthly NIREA meeting last week in Post Falls.

"I know Fred really deserves it," Natalie chuckles. "I just keep him healthy so he can keep going."

With Nathalie's help, Fred puts together the NIREA's monthly meeting agendas for the chapter's 45 members.

Nathalie said Fred goes the extra mile and sprinkles the agendas with pictures and poems.

"And the birthdays, he doesn't forget anyone," Nathalie said.

It was through the local chapter's nomination that the couple received the award, one of 301 given out nationally.

"We appreciate very much Fred and Nathalie and their support and the work they do," said NIREA president Doug Cresswell. "We congratulate them."