Miracle on Appleway

Before we close the book on North Idaho's 2010 holiday season and forge ahead toward a tremendous 2011, let's linger one moment longer.

We bring to your attention one of the last stories of the year, an inspirational tale that reminds us yet again why it's so good to live here.

We're referring to the story published Dec. 31 about the Appleway Wendy's employees who, facing dire financial challenges themselves, raised enough money to buy 47-year-old co-worker Sheila Whitfield a car. Whitfield, who moved here a mere year ago to be near her son, had been walking 2 miles to work each day, then 2 miles home after she got off work at 10:30 each night. Her younger and adoring co-workers couldn't bear it anymore, so they bought her a 1994 Buick LeSabre.

"I think we can all take a lesson from them," said Michael Sherman, Wendy's manager. "We all know about how much they make, but despite borderline personal poverty levels, they gave, gave and gave to someone in need."

Whitfield is just one of thousands of people in Kootenai County who have personally benefitted from the seemingly boundless holiday spirit of their neighbors. A food bank turkey famine turned into a glut, a newspaper fundraising campaign broke all records and acts of random kindness positively proliferated throughout the holidays.

What's really amazing is that while the holidays tend to bring out the best in some people, that spirit actually continues here throughout the year. That's not pollyanna public relations stuff, either. Where there's local need, somehow there's always local response. Good begets more good and snowballs from there, sometimes settling in a charity bank account or even at the doorstep of a fast-food restaurant on Appleway.